Proposition 218 Phase 1 GSP Implementation

Under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), the Merced Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) is obligated to manage and balance groundwater supplies in the Merced Subbasin through a variety of activities.  In 2019, the landowners within the MSGSA approved the adoption of an Administrative Fee through the Proposition 218 process (2019 Fee). Since passage in 2019, that fee has funded, and will continue to fund, MSGSA administrative activities. 

In January 2022, the Merced Subbasin GSA (MSGSA) Governing Board (Board) approved a recommendation to create an ad-hoc committee to develop the recommended elements of a 2022 Proposition 218 proceeding in accordance with the Two Phased GSP Implementation Approach Resolution’s (Resolution) intent to design and adopt, by Summer 2022, a Phase 1 Proposition 218 fee to fund mechanisms for implementation of the Water Year 2025 objective.  The elements to be funded by the Phase 1 Proposition 218 fee are detailed in the Engineer’s Report linked below.

Notice was provided to all landowners subject to the assessment on June 3, 2022.

The MSGSA Governing Board will conduct a public hearing on Tuesday, July 19, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. at the Merced County Administration Building, Board Room, 2222 M Street, Merced CA 95340 to consider the adoption of per-acre charges based on land use.

FINAL Engineers Report

    • GSA Board approved May 12, 2022

FINAL Resolution Approving a Phase 1 Funding Mechanism Landowner Fee

    • GSA Board approved July 19, 202
Phase 1 Funding Mechanism Fee Appeal Process
Phase 1 Funding Mechanism Fee Appeal Form

The Phase 1 Funding Mechanism Fee Appeal Form can be submitted to contact@mercedsubbasingsa.org

Proposition 218 Landowner Fee for SGMA Compliance

Under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), the Merced Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) is obligated to manage and balance groundwater supplies in the Merced Subbasin through a variety of activities. The Merced Subbasin GSA is in the process of collaborating with other GSA’s in the Merced Subbasin on the development of a required Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) that will be submitted to the California Department of Water Resources by January 31, 2020. After development of the GSP, the GSA is required to implement the Plan and manage the Merced Subbasin in a manner consistent with the GSP and that achieves groundwater sustainability by the year 2040.

To sufficiently fund the essential activities required to comply with SGMA’s unfunded state mandate and to maintain local management and control of the groundwater basin, the Merced Subbasin GSA must develop and implement a fee structure within the GSA’s management area. The Merced Subbasin GSA Governing Board is considering a proposal to impose a landowner fee for all lands within the management area of the Merced Subbasin GSA in order to fund the operations and activities necessary for compliance.

A public workshop was held in Planada on Wednesday, April 17, 2019 and in Atwater on Wednesday, April 24, 2019. 

          The two meetings had presentations regarding the Proposition 218 landowner fee. The presentations included:

FINAL Fee Study Report

    • GSA Board approved June 5, 2019

FINAL Resolution Approving SGMA Landowner Fee

    • GSA Board approved July 23, 2019

 

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