Groundwater Sustainability Agencies ready to start work

The three Sonoma County groundwater agencies set up over the past few months have finalized their ranks, and will begin holding public meetings next month that will include an opportunity for members of the public to speak.

The hearings are one item on the agendas of the first meetings of the Santa Rosa Plain, Sonoma Valley and Petaluma Valley groundwater sustainability agencies (GSAs). These agencies were formed to meet the requirements of California’s historic Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), which went into effect in 2015.

The three GSAs were formed as joint powers authorities by local public entities that have responsibility for water supply, water management and land use. Each GSA board will create an advisory committee to provide input and feedback on policies, programs and projects, including groundwater sustainability plans.

The members of the Sonoma Valley Basin GSA are: David Cook (representing the City of Sonoma), Mike Sangiacomo (representing the North Bay Water District), Mark Heneveld and Bruce Adams (representing the Valley of the Moon Water District), Supervisor Susan Gorin (County of Sonoma), David Rabbitt (Sonoma County Water Agency), and Vickie Mulas (Sonoma Resource Conservation District). Alternates from each organization have been named as well.

The first meeting of the Sonoma Valley Basin GSA is Thursday, June 8, at 5:30 p.m. at the Vintage House Senior Center. The meeting will include the election of the GSA officers, administration of the GSAs, and the advisory committee process.

The website www.sonomacountygroundwater.org includes up-to-date information on the State Groundwater Management Act and a place to sign up for more information.