Groundwater Sustainability Plan Periodic Review - Santa Cruz Mid-County Basin - October 2026
Summary
SCH Number
2026100285
Public Agency
California Department of Water Resources
(DWR)
Document Title
Groundwater Sustainability Plan Periodic Review - Santa Cruz Mid-County Basin - October 2026
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
10/9/2026
Document Description
The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), Water Code 10720 et seq., requires local groundwater sustainability agencies (GSAs) to develop and implement groundwater sustainability plans (GSPs). (Water Code 10727) The Department of Water Resources (DWR) is required to evaluate whether GSPs and their local implementation comply with certain provisions of SGMA, are likely to achieve sustainability, and whether they adversely affect the ability of adjacent basins to implement their GSPs. (Water Code 10733) DWR is required to issue an assessment within two years of submission of a GSP and again at least every five years during GSP implementation. (Water Code 10733.4, 10733.8) Accordingly, DWR conducted a 5-year periodic review of the Santa Cruz Mid-County Basin GSP and has issued an assessment that determines the GSP or its implementation is "approved." (23 Cal. Code Regs. 355.2, 355.6)
Contact Information
Name
Paul Gosselin
Agency Name
Department of Water Resources
Job Title
Deputy Director
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Sierra Ryan
Agency Name
Santa Cruz Mid-County Groundwater Agency GSA
Job Title
Plan Manager
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Location
Cities
Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley
Counties
Santa Cruz
Regions
Northern California
Other Location Info
Santa Cruz Mid-County Groundwater Basin
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
Guidelines 15061 [common sense]
Reasons for Exemption
CEQA does not apply to the preparation and adoption of GSPs, and a GSA is authorized to implement its GSP prior to and regardless of DWR’s assessment (Water Code 10733.4(d); Water Code § 10728.6). DWR is statutorily mandated to issue the assessment and no actions or activities with potential to affect the physical environment are initiated or caused by DWR’s issuance of this assessment or DWR’s “approval” of a GSP. When DWR “approves” a GSP or its implementation, DWR is not authorizing any new activities in the basin, but rather making a determination (i.e., “approving of”) that the components of the plan satisfied the technical requirements of SGMA and the GSP Regulations and that the basin was likely to achieve the sustainability goal within SGMA timeframes through implementation of its plan. The effect of DWR’s evaluation of GSPs under SGMA is limited to determining whether state intervention in a basin may be necessary. GSP approval by DWR does not affect or determine water rights. (WC 10738) All existing, ongoing, and future actions with potential to affect the physical environment within the basin have been or will be carried out, approved, or permitted by other persons, entities, or agencies. There is therefore no possibility that DWR's issuance of the assessment may have a significant effect on the physical environment within the basin covered by the GSP. (CEQA Guidelines 15061(b)(3)). CEQA exemptions that also would apply to issuance of the assessment, include those for actions to maintain or protect natural resources or the environment, and actions by regulatory agencies to enforce laws or issue administrative decisions enforcing laws administered by them (i.e., SGMA). (CEQA Guidelines 15307, 15308, 15321.)
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Water Code 10728.6
Reasons for Exemption
CEQA does not apply to the preparation and adoption of GSPs, and a GSA is authorized to implement its GSP prior to and regardless of DWR’s assessment (Water Code 10733.4(d); Water Code § 10728.6). DWR is statutorily mandated to issue the assessment and no actions or activities with potential to affect the physical environment are initiated or caused by DWR’s issuance of this assessment or DWR’s “approval” of a GSP. When DWR “approves” a GSP or its implementation, DWR is not authorizing any new activities in the basin, but rather making a determination (i.e., “approving of”) that the components of the plan satisfied the technical requirements of SGMA and the GSP Regulations and that the basin was likely to achieve the sustainability goal within SGMA timeframes through implementation of its plan. The effect of DWR’s evaluation of GSPs under SGMA is limited to determining whether state intervention in a basin may be necessary. GSP approval by DWR does not affect or determine water rights. (WC 10738) All existing, ongoing, and future actions with potential to affect the physical environment within the basin have been or will be carried out, approved, or permitted by other persons, entities, or agencies. There is therefore no possibility that DWR's issuance of the assessment may have a significant effect on the physical environment within the basin covered by the GSP. (CEQA Guidelines 15061(b)(3)). CEQA exemptions that also would apply to issuance of the assessment, include those for actions to maintain or protect natural resources or the environment, and actions by regulatory agencies to enforce laws or issue administrative decisions enforcing laws administered by them (i.e., SGMA). (CEQA Guidelines 15307, 15308, 15321.)
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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