California Groundwater Deadline Marks Important Progress Toward Building Resilience

(SAN FRANCISCO – Jan. 30, 2019) Friday, Jan. 31, is the deadline for 21 critically overdrafted groundwater basins in California to submit plans to the state for how to bring their groundwater demand in line with available supplies over the next 20 years. The deadline was set by the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), the state’s most sweeping water law change in 100 years.

“Thanks to SGMA, hundreds if not thousands of water managers and users have come together to gain a more accurate picture of their groundwater supply and demand and develop sustainability plans. That in itself is a major shift in the right direction toward building a more resilient future for one of the most important and productive agricultural regions in our country.

While some regions still must tackle difficult questions, there are promising solutions to ease the transition to sustainable groundwater use. If implemented successfully, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act will ensure there’s enough water for people, our economy and wildlife for generations to come.”

• Ann Hayden, Senior Director, Western Water and Resilient Landscapes, Environmental Defense Fund

Additional Resources:

For video of Ann Hayden, visit https://youtu.be/yU_WMzQQ3ds.

For blog post on the Jan. 31 SGMA deadline by Christina Babbitt, Senior Manager, California Groundwater Program, visit www.edf.org/Zqmb.