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CC - Approval of the First Amendment to the Memorandum of Understanding for the Formation of the Santa Monica Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency
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Meeting Date: June 24, 2019
Contact Person/Dept: Helen Chin/Public Works Department
Phone Number: 310-253-5618
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [] Attachments: [X]
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [] Date:
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (06/19/19);
Department Approval: Charles D. Herbertson, Public Works Director/City Engineer (06/14/19)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council approve a First Amendment to the Memorandum of Understanding for the Formation of the Santa Monica Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency.
BACKGROUND
Sustainable Groundwater Management Act
In September 2014 Governor Brown signed three bills (AB 1793, SB 1319, and SB 1168) designed to advance groundwater management in California. The legislation, together known as the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), provides for improved management of groundwater in unadjudicated basins by local authorities. The SGMA is one component of an integrated state policy that includes conservation, recycling, safe drinking water, storage, and watershed restoration. Sustainable management addresses management and use of groundwater in a way that can be maintained without lowering groundwater levels, significant reduction in groundwater storage, unreasonable salt water intrusion, degradation of water quality, land subsidence, and surface water depletion.
Groundwater provides water for over 6 million Californians and is used by much of the state's $45 billion agriculture industry. Groundwater is a critical resource that has been overused and under-regulated for over a century leaving California at risk ...
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