The Owens Valley Groundwater Authority has been flailing in limbo as the California

Department of Water Resources stood poised to publish the final priority rating for the state’s

groundwater basins, as required by the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA).

Then, in mid-December, the OVGA received word, the priority list had been finalized and the

Owens basin was officially low.

Here’s a little background: High and medium ratings require a Groundwater

Sustainability Plan and all the complications that entails. Low priority ratings let water agencies

off the hook. Those agencies, or organizations of multiple agencies like the OVGA, had the

option, but not the requirement, to develop a plan.

Wheeler Crest Community Service District, basically Swall Meadows in Mono County,

with 43 hook-ups, had already expressed interest in leaving the OVGA if the low priority held.

All of the original 11 agencies were required to divide the cost of the sustainability plan.

Representative Glen Inouye, logically, expressed the fact the cost was disproportionate to the

number of hook-ups. None of the other participating agencies disagreed.

OVGA Chair, Fred Stump, a Mono County supervisor, polled the members at last

Thursday’s meeting. No one bailed out immediately as that decision would be made at each

entities board meetings. There is, however, a good chance the only remaining Mono County

water provider, Tri-Valley Groundwater Management District will opt out.

Mono County picked up the tab for both Wheeler Crest and Tri-Valley’s participation in

the OVGA.

The hook to opting out, Inyo County rep Supervisor Dan Totheroh pointed out: both

agencies would still be subject to the requirements of the final plan. While a low priority plan

may not seem onerous, it has been clear from the outset that groundwater basins can be re-

classified in the future.

Any discussion of reimbursements or increased funding levels for the remaining entities

will be taken up at the OVGA’s February meeting.

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