California Code of Regulations
Title 23 - Waters
Division 2 - Department of Water Resources
Chapter 1.5 - Groundwater Management
Subchapter 2 - Groundwater Sustainability Plans
Article 6 - Department Evaluation and Assessment
Section 355.6 - Periodic Review of Plan by Department

Universal Citation: 23 CA Code of Regs 355.6

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024

(a) The Department shall periodically review an approved Plan to ensure the Plan, as implemented, remains consistent with the Act and in substantial compliance with this Subchapter, and is being implemented in a manner that will likely achieve the sustainability goal for the basin.

(b) The Department shall evaluate approved Plans and issue an assessment at least every five years. The Department review shall be based on information provided in the annual reports and the periodic evaluation of the Plan prepared and submitted by the Agency.

(c) The Department shall consider the following in determining whether a Plan and its implementation remain consistent with the Act:

(1) Whether the exceedances of any minimum thresholds or failure to meet any interim milestones are likely to affect the ability of the Agency to achieve the sustainability goal for the basin.

(2) Whether the Agency is implementing projects and management actions consistent with the Plan, or that the Agency has demonstrated that actions described in the Plan have been rendered unnecessary based on changing basin conditions or an improved understanding of basin conditions.

(3) Whether the Agency is addressing data gaps and reducing the levels of uncertainty identified in the Plan.

(4) Whether the Plan continues to satisfy the criteria described in Section 355.4.

(d) The Department shall issue a written assessment of the review of the Plan, which shall be posted on the Department's website. The assessment shall include a determination of the status of the Plan, as follows:

(1) Approved. The Department shall approve the implementation of a Plan that remains in conformance with the requirements of the Act and is in substantial compliance with this Subchapter, based on the criteria described in this Section.

(2) Incomplete. The Department has determined that the Plan as implemented has one or more deficiencies that preclude approval, but which may be capable of being corrected by the Agency in a timely manner. An incomplete Plan may be completed and resubmitted to the Department for evaluation as follows:
(A) The Department shall identify deficiencies in the Plan as implemented, and may recommend corrective actions to address those deficiencies.

(B) The Department may consult with the Agency to determine the amount of time needed by the Agency to propose projects or management actions to address any deficiencies, not to exceed 180 days from the date the Department issues its assessment.

(3) Inadequate. The Department shall disapprove the implementation of a Plan if the Department, after consultation with the board, determines that a Plan is inadequate in accordance with Section 355.2.

(e) The Department may request from the Agency any information the Department deems necessary to evaluate the progress toward achieving the sustainability goal and the potential for adverse effects on adjacent basins.

(f) The Department may evaluate the implementation of a Plan at any time to determine whether the Plan is consistent with the objectives of the Act and in substantial compliance with this Subchapter.

1. New section filed 8-15-2016 as an emergency exempt from review by OAL pursuant to Water Code section 10733.2(d); operative 8-15-2016. Pursuant to Water Code section 10733.2(d), these regulations shall remain in effect until revised by the Department of Water Resources (Register 2016, No. 34).

Note: Authority cited: Section 10733.2, Water Code. Reference: Sections 10728.2, 10733, 10733.2, 10733.4 and 10733.8, Water Code.

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