Isn’t this basically a state takeover of groundwater?

No. At its core, the legislation provides a framework for local authorities to improve groundwater supply management. In fact, it provides protection against state intervention, provided that local agencies develop and implement groundwater sustainability plans as required.

The legislation provides tools and authorities some agencies have previously lacked to manage for sustainability. In addition, it provides substantial time (20 years from the time a groundwater sustainability plan is adopted) to take the actions necessary to achieve sustainability.

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1. Where can I get more information on groundwater sustainability?
2. What is the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act of 2014?
3. What authority will groundwater sustainability agencies have?
4. Is there any funding available to assist groundwater sustainability agencies?
5. When do sustainable groundwater management plans have to be completed and implemented?
6. Who determines whether a groundwater sustainability plan is sufficient?
7. What does sustainable groundwater management mean?
8. Isn’t this basically a state takeover of groundwater?
9. Does this legislation take away the ability of growers to pump groundwater if the current drought continues?
10. How does this legislation affect existing water and property rights?
11. Will this legislation make future adjudications more complicated?
12. Does this legislation allocate groundwater for environmental and habitat purposes?
13. Why doesn’t this legislation address groundwater recharge as a beneficial use of surface water?