State Water Resources Control Board hearing on groundwater plans continued after staff flags deficiencies

The State Water Resources Control Board on May 28 heard presentations and public comment on multiple Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSPs) and related technical reports, and staff said some basin plans were incomplete or contained deficiencies; the board continued the hearing to a later date in September for further review.

Board staff and GSA (Groundwater Sustainability Agency) presenters told the board that draft plans show ongoing groundwater-level declines in parts of the basin, evidence of land subsidence and water‑quality concerns — including elevated arsenic, nitrate and uranium in localized areas — and recommended additional monitoring and mitigation steps. Staff said some plans did not adequately demonstrate sustainable groundwater management and noted required annual reporting to the Department of Water Resources (DWR) and a 60‑day public‑comment window for the staff report (the transcript references a final staff report entry dated 05/02/2024).

The continued hearing and staff findings matter because the board can use its authority to…