Why is Gold Ridge RCD involved?
At our April 20th, 2017 board meeting our Board of Directors approved our involvement as a voting member
for the Santa Rosa Plain Basin GSA, the only medium priority basin within our district.
The RCD is not required to be involved in the local GSAs. We have been hearing from our community that they want the RCD to help represent the ideas and needs of well owners in the Santa Rosa Plain. We have taken very seriously our decision to participate and the investment in time and money that is required to do so.
The RCD is a non-regulatory local district that works closely with rural and agricultural landowners, urban residents, schools, resource agencies, and others on a variety of voluntary conservation programs. We are proud of the trusted relationships we have with our district's landowners that we have fostered over the last 75 years.
We chose to be involved for two key reasons:
1. We believe that our work over the last 75 years working closely with hundreds of groundwater users gives us an understanding of their issues and concerns. We can be a voice for those concerns on the governing board of the GSA.
2. We believe that we are part of the solution to effective groundwater management. We are focused on working with local landowners, using a science-based approach, and advocating for voluntary approaches to key aspects of the implementation of future Groundwater Sustainability Plans. Our experience in implementing on the ground conservation projects, monitoring groundwater levels, and working with local communities aligns us to help implement future solutions to potential groundwater issues. The RCD can effectively bridge environmental concerns with the pragmatic needs of groundwater users.
Have your voice be heard:
We know there is concern in the community about the formation of the GSAs and many of the unknowns, including future potential regulations and fees. We encourage you to get involved in future groundwater sustainability agencies by attending a future board meeting. We will continue to listen to community concerns at the RCD, and work to represent your vital interests.