Groundwater
In September 2014, Governor Jerry Brown signed legislation requiring that California's critical groundwater resources be sustainably managed by local agencies, through the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). In Siskiyou County there are four basins that fall under the requirements of SGMA; the Shasta, Scott and Butte Valley Basins and the Tulelake Subbasin. To carry out the requirements of SGMA, the Siskiyou County Flood Control and Water Conservation District serves as the Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) for the three basins, and the Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors serves as a member of the GSA for the Tulelake Subbasin; alongside Tulelake Irrigation District, Modoc County and the City of Tulelake.
These GSA's were required to develop Groundwater Sustainability Plans four each of the basins by January 31, 2022, that will assess the current and projected future conditions of the basins, and will establish management and monitoring activities and long-term goals. The Scott Valley and Shasta Valley GSP's have been approved, while Butte Valley and Tulelake are still awaiting a determination. For more information on Groundwater Sustainability Plans, please visit the following link: Department of Water Resources SGMA Portal
SGMA is a locally driven & public process that will include several opportunities for public input and participation. Advisory committees have been established for each of the basins, made up of members of the public. Advisory committee meetings will be public, and meeting agendas will be distributed prior to each meeting to provide the public with opportunities to attend and provide public comment and input. In addition, If you would like to submit or provide public comment directly to the GSA's please attend the Siskiyou County Flood Control & Water Conservation District meetings during the Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors meetings (visit https://www.co.siskiyou.ca.us/ for information on those dates and agendas), or regular meetings held by the Tulelake GSA (please contact the Tulelake Irrigation District at (530) 667-2449) . If you are unable to attend any of the meetings and would like to provide public comment, or would like to be added to the SGMA outreach list, please email SGMA@co.siskiyou.ca.us.
