Groundwater Sustainability Plan - Draft Components
DEVELOPING THE DRAFT GSP COMPONENTS - INTRODUCTION
The Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) is the detailed roadmap for how the Cosumnes Subbasin will reach long-term sustainability. The Draft GSP is now available for public review and comment. The Final GSP is due to the State by January 2022.
Click here for a guidebook to better understand the State’s GSP regulations
We also recommend visiting the Groundwater Exchange for a wealth of information including factsheets and brochures
The purpose of this webpage is to provide the draft technical components of the GSP and other helpful resources. The GSP is a highly technical and complex document, and the seven Cosumnes Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) wanted to provide the draft material to enable interested parties to begin to orient themselves with the technical information prior to the release of the Draft GSP.
IMPORTANT NOTE
Several of these resources (e.g., draft technical memos) are the initial draft documents. They do not yet incorporate comments provided by the GSAs and other stakeholders from earlier discussions.
View and download to the Draft GSP for public review and comment.
Also you can refer to the last section of this webpage to learn how you can share your input.
Navigating this webpage
There are four main sections of this page: (1) Additional background information related to the draft GSP content; (2) Draft GSP components and other resources; (3) GSP development timeline and opportunities for public input; and (4) Methods for providing input.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION for the COSUMNES SUBBASIN GSP
Learn more about the GSP by clicking on the questions below:
A GSP must assess groundwater quantity and determine if there is a balance between water coming in and water leaving the subbasin. If it is determined that groundwater supplies are being depleted over time, the Plan must contain a strategy to reverse this trend and ensure long-term sustainability of the water available to businesses, residences, farms, ranches and ecosystems.
The GSP must also assess groundwater quality, surface water depletion, land subsidence and other sustainability indicators and propose measures to correct any “undesirable results.”
GSP Components
The detailed and technical information in the GSP will be largely based on Technical Memorandums (TMs) that the technical consultant, EKI Environment & Water, Inc., has been developing in coordination with GSAs, stakeholders, and other experts. Refer to the question below to learn more about these Technical Memos.
Outline of the GSP
View/download a detailed annotated GSP outline – [Click here]
General GSP Outline:
| Chapter 1. Introduction |
| 1.1. Purpose of the GSP |
| 1.2. Sustainability Goal |
| 1.3. Agency Information / Governance Description |
| 1.4. GSP Organization |
| Chapter 2. Plan Area and Basin Setting – Describing the basin conditions |
| 2.1. Description of Plan Area |
| 2.2. Basin Setting |
| Chapter 3. Sustainable Management Criteria – Defining basin sustainability |
| 3.1. Sustainability Goal |
| 3.2. Measurable Objectives |
| 3.3. Minimum Thresholds |
| 3.4. Undesirable Results |
| 3.5. Monitoring Network & Protocols |
| Chapter 4. Projects & Management Actions – Identifying how to achieve sustainability goal |
| 4.x. Projects and MAs Development |
| Chapter 5. Plan Implementation – Describing how to implement the GSP |
| 5.1. Estimate of GSP Implementation Costs |
| 5.2. Schedule of Implementation |
| 5.3. Annual Reporting |
| 5.4. Periodic Evaluation |
| Chapter 6. References and Technical Studies |
The detailed and technical information in the GSP will be largely based on Technical Memorandums (TMs) that the technical consultant, EKI Environment & Water, Inc., has been developing in coordination with GSAs, stakeholders, and other experts. Whenever an initial draft TM was completed, the draft was provided to the GSAs and stakeholders for review and comment. Feedback has been collected and will be incorporated into the Draft GSP (expected release: August 2021).
List of Technical Memos (TMs):
- TM 1 – Data Management System Evaluation and Selection (working draft as of 11/2018)
- TM 2 – Data Compilation and Data Gaps Assessment (working draft as of 6/2019)
- TM 3 – Numerical Groundwater Model Evaluations and Recommendations (working draft as of 12/2018; revision 9/2019)
- TM 4 – Not applicable – [does not exist; removed from initial scope of work]
- TM 5 – Stakeholder Communication and Engagement Plan (working draft as of 3/2019)
- TM 6 – Groundwater Conditions and Hydrogeologic Conceptual Model (working draft as of 11/2019)
- TM 7 – Not applicable – [does not exist; removed from initial scope of work]
- TM 8 – Water Budget and Preliminary Estimate of Sustainable Yield (working draft as of 5/2021)
- TM 9 – Summary of Monitoring Network Assessment and Preliminary Monitoring Plan (working draft as of 4/2020)
- TM 10 – Delineation of Management Areas (short paragraph will be included in the Draft GSP as the GSAs decided to not delineate Management Areas)
- TM 11 – Establishment of Sustainability Criteria (working draft as of 3/2021)
- TM 12 – Proposed Projects and Management Actions (working draft as of 4/2021)
- TM 13 – GSP Implementation Plan (working draft as of 6/2021)
- TM 14 – Proposed Monitoring Network and Protocols (based on TM 9, will be updated for Draft GSP)
As previously mentioned, this webpage provides the initial draft Technical Memos and draft GSP chapters and does yet not incorporate GSA comments or more current/new information since their initial release.
The Draft GSP (now available) provides complete drafts of all these Technical Memos, and we are seeking public input on those drafts to ensure interested stakeholders and members of the public are able to comment on the most up-to-date versions.
We understand this can be confusing to post “outdated” drafts; however, we wanted to help people begin to orient themselves with the technical content (even if content is not fully up to date) prior to release of the Draft GSP. We have also provided other resources to help capture additional or new information where possible.
Staying involved is crucial to develop and implement the GSP! The section at the bottom lists multiple opportunities for you to provide your input during the GSP development process.
INITIAL DRAFTS of GSP CONTENT and OTHER RESOURCES
Introduction & Administrative Information
Contents
Purpose of the GSP | Sustainability Goal | Agency Information and Governance Description | GSP Organization
Draft Status
- Draft Intro Chapter has been reviewed by GSAs as part of Plan Area Chapter review (Feb 2021)
- The Long-Term Governance Committee is currently developing a draft Joint Powers Authority document for the Working Group to review (draft estimated to be shared with the Working Group in early Fall 2021)
Selected Resources
General Informative / Educational Materials
- SGMA Brochures – Understanding the Law | GSP Regulations | State Intervention
- SGMA Videos – Intro to the New Law (11 min) | Local Management under SGMA (9 min)
Cosumnes Subbasin Materials
- Presentation Slides – Concept of Sustainability Goal presented to Working Group 12/2020 – (starting on Slide 11)
- Presentation Slides – Draft Sustainability Goal statement – (starting on Slide 16)
- Cosumnes Handout – Subbasin Map | GSA Contacts | Mini-Glossary
Plan Area and Basin Setting
Contents
- Description of Plan Area: Summary of Jurisdictional Areas and Other Features | Water Resources Monitoring and Management Plans | Land Use Elements | Additional GSP Elements (e.g., well construction policies, etc.) | Notice & Communication
- Basin Setting: Hydrogeologic Conceptual Model (HCM) | Current and Historical Groundwater Conditions | Water Budget Information
Draft Status
- Working Draft of Plan Area Chapter has been reviewed by GSAs (Feb 2021)
- Draft TM #3 – Numerical Groundwater Model Evaluations and Recommendations (initial draft completed/revised Sep 2019)
- Draft TM #5 – Stakeholder Communication & Engagement Plan (initial draft completed Mar 2019)
- Draft TM #6 – HCM and Groundwater Conditions has been reviewed by GSAs (Dec 2019)
- Draft TM #8 – Water Budget has been reviewed by the GSAs (May 2021)
Revisions are included in the Draft GSP
Selected Resources
General Informative / Educational Materials
- DWR’s Best Management Practices (BMP) documents – Hydrogeologic Conceptual Model (HCM) | Water Budget | Modeling
Cosumnes Subbasin Materials
- Presentation Slides & Recording – Aug 2020 Public meeting on groundwater conditions
- Input on groundwater conditions and interconnected surface waters – Comments from the Surface Water Advisory Group (SWAG) related to TM #6 and GSAs’ responses.
- Factsheet – Cosumnes Subbasin Groundwater Conditions and Conceptual Model
Sustainable Management Criteria (SMC)
Contents
Sustainability Goal Description | Measurable Objectives (MOs) | Minimum Thresholds (MTs) | Undesirable Results (URs) | Monitoring Network and Protocols
Draft Status
- Draft TM #9 – Preliminary Monitoring Network and Plan reviewed by GSAs (Spring 2020)
- Draft TM #11 – SMCs GSA Review in progress (Mar 2021)
- Draft TM #14 – Proposed Monitoring Network and Protocols (Expected as part of the Draft GSP)
Revisions are included in the Draft GSP
Selected Resources
General Informative / Educational Materials
- Understanding Sustainability Indicators – Groundwater Levels | Storage | Water Quality | Interconnected Surface Waters | Subsidence
- DWR’s Best Management Practices (BMP) documents – Sustainable Management Criteria (SMC) | Monitoring Protocols | Monitoring Networks and Data Gaps
Cosumnes Subbasin Materials
- Presentation Slides – SMC concepts, approaches, and guidance were discussed at several Working Group meetings: Aug 2020, Sep 2020, Oct 2020, Nov 2020, Dec 2020, and Jan 2021
- Input on SMC related to interconnected surface waters – Comments from the Surface Water Advisory Group and GSAs’ responses
- Input on SMC from Northern Delta GSA (GSA in the Solano and South American Subbasin, the latter neighboring the Cosumnes Subbasin)
Projects and Management Actions (P/MAs)
Contents
Description of proposed projects and management actions
Draft Status
- Draft TM #12 – P/MAs has been reviewed by the GSAs (Apr 2021)
Revisions are included in the Draft GSP
Selected Resources
General Informative / Educational Materials
Cosumnes Subbasin Materials
- Factsheets – Well Owners in Cosumnes Subbasin
- Factsheets – Projects in Cosumnes Subbasin
- Presentation Slides – P/MAs were presented to the Working Group and the Surface Water Advisory Group on multiple occasions, including Sep 2020 WG (approaches); Feb 2021 WG and SWAG Meeting #4 (suggested projects)
- March 2021 public meeting on proposed projects and associated costs – Video Recording | Presentation Slides | Overview of input (as presented to Working Group)
- Input of P/MAs related to groundwater dependent ecosystems from ECOS, member of the Surface Water Advisory Group | GSAs’ Response Letter
Plan Implementation
Contents
Estimate of GSP Implementation Costs | Schedule of Implementation | Annual Reporting | Periodic Evaluation
Draft Status
- Draft TM #13 – GSP Implementation Plan (June 2021)
Revisions are included in the Draft GSP
Selected Resources
Cosumnes Subbasin Materials
- Presentation Slides – May 19 GSP Implementation Plan update presented to the Working Group – (starting on Slide 9)
- GSP Implementation and Funding factsheet
- New Cosumnes Funding and Fee Program webpage
- Groundwater Fee Study Report for Cosumnes Subbasin
References and Technical Studies
Contents
Contact Information for Plan Manager | List of Public Meetings | Technical Appendices | Groundwater Model Documentation | Comments & Responses
Draft Status
- Geophysics Report (Hydrogeologic study using electroteluric transects) | Appendices (finalized Dec 2020)
- Geophysical Investigations Report (using tTEM and WalkTEM geophysical techniques) (finalized Feb 2021)
- Surface NMR Survey (GMR Report) (finalized Feb 2021)
- Isotope Recharge Study TM (finalized May 2021)
- Forthcoming: Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems (GDE) Verification Study
- Cosumnes Subbasin Public Communication & Engagement Plan (revised Mar 2019)
List of technical studies is subject to change.
Revisions are included in the Draft GSP
Selected Resources
General Informative / Educational Materials
- Stakeholder Communication & Engagement – DWR Guidance Document| IUCN Guidance for GSP Involvement | DWR Guidance Document for Tribal Engagement
- En Español – Comunicación y participación de los interesados | IUCN Participe en el manejo de su cuenca
- Refer to the GroundwaterExchange.org outreach page for additional materials and publicaciones clave en español
Cosumnes Subbasin Materials
- Visit the Meetings Page to view past and upcoming public workshops
- Meeting Recording – Geophysical Workshop Aug 21, 2019 (Refer to the Meetings Page for additional materials)
- Presentation Slides – Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems (GDE) Verification Study update presented to the Surface Water Advisory Group (June 2021, starting on Slide 12)
- Presentation Slides – Stakeholder survey responses and input from Mar/Apr 2019 public workshop (as presented to the Working Group Apr 2019)
GSP DEVELOPMENT TIMELINE - WHAT'S UP NEXT?
Refer to the Meetings Page for additional Cosumnes Subbasin SGMA activities.
