North Bay Water District

The Petaluma Valley and Sonoma Valley Groundwater Sustainability agencies are planning two community meetings to discuss the Rate and Fee Study. The purpose of the meetings are to briefly describe the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA)and the Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSP) findings and to receive community input on the the options for funding of the Groundwater Agencies.

It is critical for members of the farming community to show up and express their thoughts.  As currently proposed, agriculture groundwater users will shoulder the vast majority of costs associated with implementing the GSP.

The annual budget (operation+ implementation costs) for the Sonoma Valley GSA and Petaluma Valley GSA are $1,122,200 and $1,053,800, respectively. There are currently a few funding options on the table including regulatory fees for groundwater pumping rather than distributing the cost among all stakeholders. 

The Sonoma Valley GSA has proposed charging anywhere from $95 to $195 per acre foot in regulatory fees for all groundwater pumped (including agriculture, cities, businesses, rural residences, and urban groundwater use). 

The Petaluma Valley GSA has proposed charging anywhere from $230 to $400 per acre foot in regulatory fees for all groundwater pumped (including agriculture, cities, businesses, rural residences, and urban sites with wells).  

The regulatory fees as currently proposed would be detrimental to the ag community. Please consider voicing your concerns and urging the GSA to reconsider all the funding options during the public comment period at both the Sonoma Valley and Petaluma Valley GSA  Rate and Fee Study Community Meetings.  

Register for the webinar and send your questions ahead of time below:

Sonoma Valley GSA Rate & Fee Study Meeting March 29 at 5:30 – 7:30pm to register click here.

Petaluma Valley GSA Rate & Fee Study Meeting March 30 at 5:30 – 7:30pm to register click here.  

View all of the proposed fee options here: