UPDATE:

On June 27, 2024, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) announced that it approved the update to Zone 7’s Alternative GSP. This approval signifies that the Alternative GSP continues to comply with SGMA law, relying upon the best available science and information, and that implementing the plans is likely to achieve or maintain groundwater sustainability.

https://water.ca.gov/Programs/Groundwater-Management/Data-and-Tools/AEM

What is SGMA?

^{The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) requires local agencies throughout California to sustainably manage groundwater basins. Basins ranked as medium- or high-priority are required to develop groundwater sustainability plans (GSPs) or submit an alternative to a GSP by the applicable statutory deadline. Alternatives should demonstrate how water managers have already achieved or will achieve sustainable groundwater management.}

^{Zone 7 qualified early on in the process as a GSA due to a long history of managing our groundwater basin (We have a lot of data nerds on staff!)}

https://water.ca.gov/Programs/Groundwater-Management/SGMA-Groundwater-Management/Alternatives