September 8th, 2026
Requested Agenda Item: Official City of Chico letter addressed to the Vina Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) Board of Directors Items for Consideration
The submission of an official City of Chico letter addressed to the Vina Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) Board of Directors requesting that the forthcoming Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) Periodic Evaluation & Plan Amendments include Sustainability Management Criteria (SMCs) set at levels that protect beneficial groundwater users within City limits
Background:
Under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), GSAs must evaluate their GSPs every five years to assess progress toward achieving groundwater sustainability. The Vina Subbasin’s first GSP Periodic Evaluation will be submitted to the California Department of Water Resources in January of 2027. The GSP Periodic Evaluation and Plan Amendments include setting metrics called sustainability management criteria (SMCs). SMCs are intended to quantify groundwater levels that indicate sustainability goals, target goals, and undesirable results.
SMCs can trigger committal responses by the GSA and State of California to prevent significant undesirable results from occurring. Within the City of Chico, undesirable results include unreliable domestic wells, unreliable shallow agricultural wells, irreversible urban forest harm, pumping rate increases for all water users, and loss of cultural uses of groundwater.
Introduction to Solution:
The GSP Periodic Evaluation is a critical opportunity to define, measure, and achieve long-term groundwater sustainability for the Vina Subbasin, which includes beneficial users within City limits. While the City of Chico holds one of five Board of Director positions as defined in the Vina GSA Joint Powers Agreement, an official position letter serves as an important tool for record-keeping and legislative advocacy.
Official letters are commonly used to formalize a position on partner agency matters.
They can also be used to protect local interests, as all City of Chico property owners are taxed an Office of Councilmember Katie Hawley
411 Main Street
Chico, CA 95927
annual fee to the Vina GSA for its functionality. Considering that beneficial users of groundwater within City of Chico limits have a vested interest in protective SMCs built into the GSP Periodic Evaluation and Plan Amendments, it is appropriate to submit an advocacy letter to the Vina GSA Board of Directors to supplement the public record and advocate for community interests.
Policy Recommendation:
I recommend that the City Council:
1) Receive a 10-15 minute presentation from applicable City of Chico staff members outlining how the GSP affects beneficial users of groundwater within City limits at the October 6th, 2026 City Council meeting
2) Direct staff to draft a letter outlining that the forthcoming GSP Periodic Evaluation & Plan Amendments affects beneficial users of groundwater within City limits, and the City requests that SMCs are set at levels that protect said beneficial users Materials Referenced
vinagsa.org