HomeMy WebLinkAboutButteCountyGSA acknowledgement page 2 only.docxv. 5-24-2022
EXECUTIVE ORDER N-7-22
GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY PLAN
CONSISTENCY VERIFICATION
The development of the Butte Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP), like many others
throughout California, coincided with one of the most severe and extensive droughts that has ever
impacted the western United States. In response to continued drought conditions in 2022, the
Governor issued Executive Order N-7-22 on March 28, 2022 which established emergency provisions
that require a groundwater sustainability agency to provide written input to the well permitting agency
regarding the issuance of well permits for new wells or alterations of existing wells in the subbasin.
Historical groundwater conditions and water budgets prepared for the Butte Subbasin GSP involved
technical work based primarily on historical records of surface water and groundwater conditions from
1970 through 2018. This period includes several prior drought periods and short and longer-term
drought cycles. The Butte Subbasin GSP recognizes and accounts for increased groundwater pumping
demands during drought periods driven by dry hydrologic conditions and cut backs to surface water
supplies. Analysis in the Butte Subbasin- Basin Setting in the GSP evaluated the impacts of a central
tendency climate change scenario which resulted in a projection of more frequent surface water
curtailments to surface water supplies in the subbasin relative to the past. Sustainable Management
Criteria considered conditions under curtailment years and were established accordingly. Groundwater
level conditions as reported in the 2021 Water Year Annual Report show all spring and fall groundwater
levels are within the Margin of Operational Flexibility and are well above the established Minimum
Thresholds.
The County of Butte Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) represents that if the Acknowledgment is
completed and signed by each well applicant and included as part of each well permit, then this
document shall constitute a written verification in accordance with Action 9a of Executive Order N-7-22.
This verification is effective as of the date written below and signed by an authorized representative of
the GSA. This verification is based upon the information currently available to the GSA. The GSA is not
obligated to notify the well applicant or the County of any change to any finding upon which this
verification is based.
_____________________________________ Date: _6/24/2022_____________
Kamela Loeser, Director
Butte County Department of Water and Resource Conservation