COMMITTEE AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Agricultural Water Advisory Committee
Government Code § 84308 Applies: Yes ☐ No ☒
(If “YES” Complete Attachment A - Gov. Code § 84308)
SUBJECT: title
Receive Update on Valley Water’s Periodic Evaluation to Its Alternative Groundwater Sustainability Plan under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA).
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RECOMMENDATION: Recommendation
Receive an update on Valley Water’s periodic evaluation to its Alternative Groundwater Sustainability Plan under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA).
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SUMMARY:
The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) requires that a groundwater sustainability agency (GSA) managing a medium- or high-priority groundwater basin submit a groundwater sustainability plan (GSP) or prescribed alternative to a GSP (Alternative) to the Department of Water Resources (DWR) by certain statutory deadlines, and, thereafter, submit a periodic evaluation at least every five years. Valley Water has a DWR approved Alternative for the high-priority Santa Clara and Llagas subbasins. Additionally, Valley Water serves as a GSA with San Benito County Water District (SBCWD) for the medium-priority North San Benito Subbasin.
Valley Water staff last updated the Agricultural Water Advisory Committee (Committee) on October 6, 2025 with a schedule for the required periodic evaluation of the Alternative, which is due to DWR by December 17, 2026. This Committee update includes the progress and outreach plan for the periodic evaluation of the Alternative for the Santa Clara and Llagas subbasins and an update for the North San Benito Subbasin.
Santa Clara and Llagas Subbasins
Staff are conducting technical analyses needed to update information on basin conditions and incorporating DWR recommended actions into the periodic evaluation of the Alternative. The recommended actions listed below are designed to facilitate DWR evaluation and improve implementation of the Alternative.
1. Explain how inter-basin items have been coordinated.
2. Ensure monitoring network details are consistent with DWR’s SGMA Portal Monitoring Network Module.
As work on the Alternative progresses, staff will update the Committee and engage interested parties through outreach, including email updates, social media posts, and public meetings. A public review of the draft updated Alternative is expected to be available in late summer/early fall 2026 to solicit public input prior to consideration by Valley Water Board of Directors in late fall 2026.
North San Benito Subbasin
Valley Water shares GSA responsibilities with SBCWD for the North San Benito Subbasin, which is primarily located in San Benito County. The periodic evaluation of the DWR approved GSP is being led by SBCWD, including all technical analyses. Valley Water staff are supporting the evaluation and update, including serving on the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). The first TAC meeting was held at the SBCWD on January 13, 2026.
As work on the GSP progresses, staff will update the Committee and engage interested parties. A public review of the draft GSP update for the North San Benito Subbasin is expected to be available in early fall 2026 to solicit public input prior to consideration by both the SBCWD and Valley Water Board of Directors in fall 2026.
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE IMPACT:
There are no environmental justice impacts associated with this item.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: PowerPoint
UNCLASSIFIED MANAGER:
Manager
Gregory Williams, 408-630-2867