In 2014, the California legislature passed the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), which was then signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown.  This legislation triggers a more intense and hands on approach to groundwater management at the local level and requires cooperation and participation by all water users including agricultural groundwater pumpers.

The Butte County Department of Water and Resource Conservation will be hosting three public outreach meetings to make groundwater pumpers aware of the legislation and the impacts of SGMA implementation to your farming operations and to Butte County. The meetings are as follows:

Monday, June 13, 2016 from 4:00 – 6:00 PM
Chico Masonic Lodge
1110 W East Avenue
Chico, CA

Tuesday, June 14, 2016 from 6:00 – 9:00 PM
Durham Memorial Hall
9319 Midway
Durham, CA

Wednesday, June 15, 2016 from 9:00 – 11:00 AM
Gridley Fairgrounds, Butte Hall
199 E Hazel Street
Gridley, CA

The content of each meeting will be the same requiring you to only attend one event. In addition, at the Durham meeting   Christina Buck, PhD, will present her findings regarding the updated Butte County Water Inventory & Analysis report that she has coordinated with Davids’ Engineering.

Michael Harty of Kearns and West will serve as the meeting facilitator, guiding the public through the SGMA language and purpose as well as fielding your questions.

“How do I know if I am a groundwater pumper?” If you use a well to irrigate your crops/pasture or use a well for your home, you are a groundwater pumper.

You attendance at one of these three meetings is crucial to learning and understanding how SGMA will have a bearing on your groundwater use. Please do not hesitate to contact our office at (530) 533-1473 or email Colleen Cecil at colleen@buttefarmbureau.com if you have questions. You can also contact Vickie Newlin at Butte County Water and Resource Conservation directly at (530) 538-2179.