East Turlock Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Agency Phase Two (2) Rules and Regulations

The East Turlock Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (ETSGSA) has adopted Phase Two Rules and Regulations to implement the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) and the Revised Turlock Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plan. Operating within Merced and Stanislaus counties, this regulatory framework establishes transitional measures to mitigate groundwater overdraft and meet Sustainable Management Criteria. Key updates include refined definitions and the introduction of an Online Groundwater Accounting Platform to manage the carryover of unused allocations, calculate recharge credits, account for consumed surface water, and track fallowed land. The regulations mandate well registration and consumed groundwater measurement, utilizing a reporting period from November 1 through October 31. Financial obligations include groundwater extraction fees categorized by use, with the agency issuing deposit and true-up invoices to owners and operators. Enforcement mechanisms include civil penalties of up to 500 dollars per acre-foot for excess extraction and up to 1,000 dollars for general rule violations, with the agency reserving the right to seek injunctive relief through the Superior Court. The ETSGSA also maintains authority to audit payments, well metering, and reported water use to ensure compliance.