In fall 2023, Davids Engineering, Inc. (DE) was contracted by the Colusa Groundwater Authority (CGA) and the Glenn Groundwater Authority (GGA) to support their revisions to the Colusa Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) in response to comments received from the California Department of Water Resources (DWR). In DWR’s October 2023 “incomplete” determination for the Colusa Subbasin GSP, DWR identified three deficiencies pertaining to: (1) the overdraft estimate and overdraft mitigation strategy for the Colusa Subbasin, (2) the sustainable management criteria (SMC) and mitigation strategy for chronic lowering of groundwater levels, and (3) the SMC, monitoring approach, and mitigation strategy for subsidence.
Over the remainder of the 180-day period from December 2023 to April 2024, DE supported the GSAs in developing and implementing a strategy for the GSP revisions and consulting with DWR staff to discuss and verify that the revisions were on track toward approval. DE led and supported the GSAs in navigating the revisions process through biweekly coordination meetings, monthly Technical Advisory Committee and Board meetings, five formal consultation meetings with DWR, and other touchpoints to work through the many technical and policy decisions involved in the GSP revisions. DE also teamed with West Yost Associates to complete various technical analyses and revisions to the GSP document related to these discussions and decisions.
During the GSP revisions process, DE supported the GSAs in the initial development of a demand management program and domestic well mitigation program to address and mitigate sustainability concerns in the Colusa Subbasin related to overdraft, groundwater level decline, and subsidence. As an outcome of this work, the GSAs have developed and signed an agreement for each program that outlines the terms and approach for implementing the programs over the next several years. DE’s efforts also helped to create a clear timeline and strategy for GSP implementation over the next five years to ensure that the GSAs remain on track to reaching sustainability in the Colusa Subbasin.
Over the remainder of the 180-day period from December 2023 to April 2024, DE supported the GSAs in developing and implementing a strategy for the GSP revisions and consulting with DWR staff to discuss and verify that the revisions were on track toward approval. DE led and supported the GSAs in navigating the revisions process through biweekly coordination meetings, monthly Technical Advisory Committee and Board meetings, five formal consultation meetings with DWR, and other touchpoints to work through the many technical and policy decisions involved in the GSP revisions. DE also teamed with West Yost Associates to complete various technical analyses and revisions to the GSP document related to these discussions and decisions.
During the GSP revisions process, DE supported the GSAs in the initial development of a demand management program and domestic well mitigation program to address and mitigate sustainability concerns in the Colusa Subbasin related to overdraft, groundwater level decline, and subsidence. As an outcome of this work, the GSAs have developed and signed an agreement for each program that outlines the terms and approach for implementing the programs over the next several years. DE’s efforts also helped to create a clear timeline and strategy for GSP implementation over the next five years to ensure that the GSAs remain on track to reaching sustainability in the Colusa Subbasin.
