Riverbank joins Modesto Subbasin groundwater-use program; council seeks safeguards for ratepayers
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Summary
City staff presented the Modesto Subbasin Groundwater Use Management Program under SGMA and council approved a resolution to participate in the GSA process while asking staff to attach a memo requesting a North Nondistrict West work group, outreach schedule, and oversight committees to protect Riverbank ratepayers; council approved 5-0.
Public works director Cody Bridgewater told the council the groundwater use management program responds to an incomplete determination from the Department of Water Resources and implements SGMA requirements for the Modesto Subbasin. "The purpose of the groundwater use management plan is to respond to the Department of Water Resources incomplete determination letter by arresting groundwater level declines and stopping overdraft," Bridgewater said.
Bridgewater summarized that the Modesto Subbasin has a modeled sustainable yield of about 267,000 acre-feet per year and that the subbasin is divided into management areas; Riverbank is part of the Nondistrict West area. Initial allocations set Riverbank’s management area allocation at 11,500 acre-feet per year, with Oakdale Irrigation District offering an additional 1,900 acre-feet for 2027—adjusting the management area allocation to about 13,400 acre-feet. Staff said management-area stewards must implement allocation frameworks, monitor results, and develop management-area action plans if allocations are not met.
Council and members of the public questioned funding and whether state fees or local rates would cover mitigation and compliance costs. Bridgewater said SGMA compliance is an unfunded state mandate and that funding mechanisms (GSA member funds, grants, fees, fines) will be determined by the GSA and member agencies; he confirmed that ratepayers could ultimately bear costs. Several farmers and residents urged inclusion of city representatives in negotiations and cautioned against bearing disproportionate costs for problems centered in other management areas. Council approved the resolution to participate and directed staff to add a memo asking for a formal North Nondistrict West work group, a well-mitigation oversight committee, outreach schedules, and regular meeting dates so Riverbank participates in allocation and funding discussions.
