The State Water Resources Control Board is reviewing six groundwater sustainability plans the Department of Water Resources has deemed inadequate. To cover the cost for staff time, the board is levying steep fees on the local groundwater sustainability agencies (GSAs), which get passed down to pumpers—adding to the steadily rising fees for irrigated lands, confined animals and other regulatory programs.
During a recent update on the process, stakeholders raised alarms over the cumulative costs.
“We're paying a lot of fees,” said Gail Delihant, senior director for governmental affairs at Western Growers. “A lot of these go for the same types of water quality issues.”
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Staff responded that they are assessing the fee structure for any potential improvements.
Board chair Joaquin Esquivel also noted that the state budget deficit is forcing agencies to pull back spending to support only “mission critical” needs. He believes sending staff to engage in person with GSAs and local communities would fall within that category.
