Sustainable Groundwater Management Act
On September 16, 2014, Gov. Jerry Brown signed the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act of 2014 (SGMA) The SGMA provides a framework for sustainable management of groundwater supplies by local authorities. Recognizing that groundwater is most effectively managed at the local level, the SGMA empowers local agencies to achieve sustainability within 20 years. SGMA establishes minimum standards for sustainable groundwater management, improves coordination between land use and groundwater planning, provides state technical assistance, protects water rights, and creates a mechanism for state intervention if a local agency is not managing its groundwater sustainability. The SMGWA was formed in response to SGMA and operates as the Groundwater Sustainability Agency for the Santa Margarita Groundwater Basin.
California Department of Water Resources SGMA Brochure
The following graphic represents the process of reaching groundwater sustainability developed by the State and offers a greater level of detail than our timeline.
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Click on the image to expand it.