Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Water Resources topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Manteca council adopts amended Eastern San Joaquin Groundwater Sustainability Plan and first periodic evaluation
Summary
City Council approved the 2024 amended Eastern San Joaquin Groundwater Sustainability Plan and accepted the first periodic evaluation, finding groundwater levels generally stable with limited subsidence. Vote was unanimous, 5-0.
The Manteca City Council on April 15 adopted a resolution approving the 2024 amended Eastern San Joaquin Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) for the Eastern San Joaquin Subbasin and separately adopted a resolution approving the plan’s first periodic evaluation. Both actions passed 5‑0.
Associate Engineer Elba Mihango, who presented both items, told the council the GSP — prepared jointly by Manteca and 15 other agencies including Stockton and Lodi — outlines projects and measures to offset groundwater use, describes outreach and monitoring programs, and reports that measured groundwater levels have remained generally stable with very little subsidence attributed to pumping.
The first periodic evaluation summarizes how the GSP is meeting objectives, addresses questions from the California Department of Water Resources and incorporates new monitoring data from the basin’s wells. Mihango said the evaluation details groundwater level, groundwater quality and subsidence monitoring and documents public outreach including a dedicated city webpage and public meetings.
Council members noted the plan has been under regional development for several years and thanked staff for ongoing work; Council Member Reitman Mirker (speaking as a former participant in the regional effort) noted the plan’s history dating to about 2016 and the basin’s required milestones.
On D1 the motion to adopt the amended 2024 GSP was made by Vice Mayor Halford and seconded by Council Member Breitenbucher. On D2 the motion to adopt the first periodic evaluation was moved by Council Member Morwitt and seconded by Council Member Breitenbucher. Both votes were 5‑0 (Mayor Gary Singh, Vice Mayor Halford, Council Members Lackey, Morwitt and Breitenbucher).
Staff said the GSP and its evaluation continue to rely on monitoring of groundwater levels, interconnected surface water and water quality. The documents also include modeling used to evaluate different groundwater scenarios and completed projects intended to offset groundwater use in the subbasin.
The council’s approvals authorize the city manager or designee to take necessary actions to implement the plans and continue coordination with the Eastern San Joaquin Groundwater Authority and the Department of Water Resources.
