From left to right: Executive Officer of the Yolo Subbasin Groundwater Agency Kristin Sicke, Assistant Manager of Division of Regional Assistance for the California Department of Water Resources Matthew Bates, Yolo County District 3 Supervisor Mary Vixie Sandy, Winters City Councilmember Carol Scianna, Yolo Subbasin Groundwater Agency Vice Chair Lee Smith and board member Tom Barth. Photo courtesy of Yolo County

WOODLAND, CA (MPG) - In an effort to bolster water resiliency efforts in Yolo County, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has awarded a $7.9 million grant to the Yolo Subbasin Groundwater Agency. This noteworthy award, a part of the DWR’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Grant Program, is earmarked to lead pioneering projects in groundwater recharge, sustainability planning, and natural resources management.

The grant, which is a testament to the county's steadfast commitment to forging a sustainable future, will propel five transformative projects thoughtfully designed to benefit underserved communities and Tribes in Yolo County. These initiatives will play a pivotal role in groundwater sustainability planning, enhancing understanding of water supplies, and supporting three critical groundwater recharge programs. Specifically engineered to divert winter storm flows into underground storage, these programs will simultaneously create habitat for shorebirds, aligning seamlessly with the objectives outlined in Governor Newsom’s Adapting to a Hotter and Drier Water Supply Strategy.

Supervisor Mary Vixie Sandy, who graciously accepted the award on behalf of the Yolo Subbasin Groundwater Agency, emphasized the significance of collaborative relationships, stating, “This award will fund bold and innovative projects that strengthen our community's water infrastructure and resilience. The Yolo Subbasin Groundwater Agency has nurtured partnerships with our local and state agencies to advance our community's resiliency and position Yolo County favorably in sustainably managing groundwater resources. For the Yolo Subbasin Groundwater Agency, this funding marks a milestone in implementing strategies that further groundwater sustainability and resourceful water management.”

“After almost eight years of coordination and planning, we are thrilled for the opportunity to complete mutually beneficial projects,” said Kristin Sicke P.E., Executive Officer for the Yolo Subbasin Groundwater Agency. “This funding will kickstart initiatives to expand our monitoring network, optimize conjunctive use via recharging excess winter flows, and advance conveyance opportunities. We are grateful to DWR for the financial assistance to continue our work towards groundwater sustainability in the Yolo Subbasin.”

In September 2014, Governor Jerry Brown signed the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) into law. SGMA mandated locally controlled groundwater sustainability agencies (GSAs) in priority basins such as the Yolo Subbasin. In June 2017, the Yolo Subbasin Groundwater Agency was established as a Joint Powers Authority to act as the exclusive GSA for the Yolo Subbasin.

The Yolo Subbasin Groundwater Agency is governed by a 26-member Board of Directors, which includes representatives from the county, cities, UC Davis, water districts, reclamation districts, the Yolo County Farm Bureau, the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, and a member from the environmental preservation community. Committed to SGMA compliance, it coordinates with local parties such as the Yolo County Environmental Health Division and Natural Resources Division for groundwater management and is responsible for Groundwater Sustainability Plan implementation.

In addition to providing critical grant funding to support SGMA, the grant program offers assistance through the Underrepresented Community Technical Assistance program.