Sonoma County Government: Groundwater Sustainability Plans Public Hearings Scheduled 

Petaluma CA

02 December, 2021

2:41 PM

Description

Press release from the Sonoma County Government: December 1, 2021 For Immediate Release CA The GSPs assess the conditions of the groundwater basin, analyze the basin's sustainability over a 50-year period, and identify projects and actions needed to ensure the basin is sustainable by 2042. "The Santa Rosa Plain GSP reflects the unique characteristics of the groundwater basin, which includes the county's largest city, agriculture, rural residents, Tribes, and important natural resources," said Santa Rosa Councilmember Tom Schwedhelm, Chair of the Santa Rosa Plain GSA. The final plans take into consideration feedback received on the three draft GSPs since December 2020 and during a public comment period that closed on October 31, 2021. "People have submitted hundreds of written and verbal comments on the Sonoma Valley GSP, including extensive feedback from a stakeholder-based Advisory Committee and the GSA Board," said Sonoma County Supervisor Susan Gorin, Chair of the Sonoma Valley GSA. "The comments received reflect the importance of the plan and concerns they have regarding groundwater resources. We look forward to addressing these concerns by working with all members of the community who share the GSA's goal of better understanding and securing this shared precious resource." If the GSPs are adopted by the respective Boards of Directors, the GSAs will submit the plans to the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) for final approval.  DWR will begin its review process with a 75-day public comment period and has up to two years to approve the plans. Implementation of the GSPs must begin in 2022, while the plans are still under review. "The GSA is looking forward to the transition from planning to implementation, and to taking action to ensure groundwater is available into the future," said Sonoma County Supervisor David Rabbitt, Chair of the Petaluma Valley Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA). Sonoma Valley Monday, December 6 Meeting will start at 4 p.m., and the public hearing will begin no earlier than 4:15 p.m. The meeting will be held virtually, via Zoom at https://scwa-ca-gov.zoom.us/j/87939906214?pwd=QXRiRmVtMEFvWjl5cm42VUNkbkpXUT09Go to https://sonomavalleygroundwater.org for more information. Petaluma Valley Wednesday, December 8 Meeting will start at 5:30 p.m., and the public hearing will begin no earlier than 5:45 p.m. The meeting will be held virtually, via Zoom at https://scwa-ca-gov.zoom.us/j/82780290360?pwd=SVl4Q2hQSWJiTndXeUNZM3FVREYzUT09Go to https://petalumavalleygroundwater.org for more information. Santa Rosa Plain Thursday, December 9 Meeting will start at 1:00 p.m., and the public hearing will begin no earlier than 1:15 p.m. The meeting will be held virtually, https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83335419723?pwd=U21LVU1WN0NtSXMzWnIrT1kwY2Fzdz09. Go to https://santarosaplaingroundwater.org for more information. The GSPs will be available online on December 2 on the GSA websites (see links above). Hard copies of the GSPs will be available for review at the following locations: Copies of all three GSPs will be available for review weekdays at Sonoma Water, 404 Aviation Blvd., Santa Rosa, 95403. Contact Information Ann DuBay Community & Government Affairs Manager Water Agency Visit our Website Contact us by Phone Office: Work (707) 524-8378 Cell: Cell (707) 322-8185 CA Relay Service: Work 711 Google Maps™ Directions Sign Up for Water Agency eNewsletter Updates Facebook Twitter This press release was produced by the Sonoma County Government. The views expressed here are the author's own.