Board adopts Groundwater Banking and Groundwater Export policies after second round of public review
The MAGSA Board unanimously adopted the Groundwater Banking and Groundwater Export policies at the December 9th meeting. The draft policies were available for public review and comment early September, with updated versions available for a second round of public review early November.
The Groundwater Export Policy clarifies and expands on the groundwater pumping restriction referenced in MAGSA’s Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) as a management action to achieve sustainability. The policy will allow MAGSA to oversee, manage, and reasonably regulate groundwater extraction within its boundaries effectively and equitably. This includes groundwater pumping within MAGSA for any use outside of MAGSA.
The Water Banking Policy establishes guidelines and principles for MAGSA on water banking within its service area, outlining measures MAGSA may implement for its oversight of any water banking activities within its boundaries.
The final policies are available on the website policy page.
MAGSA will continue its work to develop policies that will guide the agency in its sustainability efforts in the years to come. Signing up for the MAGSA email list is the fastest way to stay up to date on upcoming drafts available for review and comment. If you are not already on the list, sign up here!