DEID GSA

In our area, the Delano-Earlimart Irrigation District, Richgrove Community Service District and the Earlimart Public Utility District have joined together to form the Delano-Earlimart Irrigation District Groundwater Sustainability Agency (DEID GSA) to meet the requirements of SGMA. The DEID GSA covers all lands within these agencies, which is approximately 65,000 acres in size. It includes the state-designated severely disadvantaged communities of Earlimart, Richgrove and the Rodriguez Labor Camp. The California Department of Water Resources has designated the DEID GSA as the exclusive agency that will manage and direct the area’s compliance with SGMA.

The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) was passed by the California State Legislature and signed into law by the Governor in 2014. SGMA’s intention is to ensure successful management of groundwater resources at the local level. Achieving success requires local agencies with the necessary expertise and resources along with the active engagement of public stakeholders in the development and implementation of long-term sustainable groundwater management activities. SGMA required local public agencies, or a combination of local agencies, to form “Groundwater Sustainability Agencies” (GSAs) by June 30, 2017.

In January of 2020, the DEID GSA submitted its Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) to the California Department of Water Resources (DWR). The GSP provided technical documentation of the DEID Management Area’s existing sustainability, the Western Management Area’s unsustainability and plan to become sustainable, along with addressing the needs of the Earlimart Public Utility District and Richgrove Community Services District. The GSP outlined specific management actions that will be taken in accordance with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. DWR’s review of the Tule Subbasin, as a whole, resulted in an incomplete determination, to which the GSAs in the Tule Subbasin had 180 days to respond. The draft GSP found below includes updates to specifically address DWR’s comments. The revised DEID GSP is due to DWR no later than July 27, 2022. The GSP’s development and contents are the responsibility of the GSA but must be approved by DWR.

• SECTION 1. INTRODUCTION TO ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION
• SECTION 2. BASIN SETTING
• SECTION 3. SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT CRITERIA
• SECTION 4. MONITORING NETWORKS
• SECTION 5. PROJECT AND MANAGEMENT ACTIONS
• SECTION 6. PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
• SECTION 7. REFERENCES AND TECHNICAL STUDIES

Stakeholders and other interested parties are encouraged to get involved. Here is what you can do to be a part of this important process:

• Sign up for our DEID GSA newsletter and other future notices: Provide us with your email address so that we may add you to our notification list. This is the primary way we communicate with stakeholders about SGMA.
• Participate in our public outreach meetings: You can be a part of shaping the future of groundwater pumping in the DEID GSA by participating in Stakeholder Group and other public outreach meetings that are periodically held. Watch for notices of those meetings.
• Help spread the word: The DEID GSA continues to seek additional opportunities to communicate and engage with stakeholders and interested parties in the DEID GSA. We ask your assistance with spreading the word about our implementation of SGMA within the DEID GSA. All interested parties can contact either the irrigation district of the public utility district to be added to our stakeholders or interested parties list.

To see a calendar of GSA meetings click here.

You may access available presentations, technical reports, and other news about SGMA, the DEID GSA, and the DEID GSP here.

Your input and comments are welcome. Please use the button below to provide us with your comments or ask any questions about SGMA or the DEID GSA/GSP that you may have.