Groundwater Sustainability Plan
GSP Chapters
Joint Powers Authority
The 23 Delta-Mendota Subbasin GSAs have formed a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) to collaboratively manage groundwater through a single GSP.
A JPA is a legal entity formed by two or more public agencies to jointly exercise common powers. JPAs allow agencies to cooperate, pool resources for insurance, issue bonds, and/or manage regional projects including the implementation of a GSP.
Since the formation of GSAs in the Subbasin, the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority (SLDMWA) has provided fiscal, contracting and administrative services for the subbasin. The assistance of SLDMWA was invaluable and greatly appreciated by the GSAs. Recently, SLDMWA’s Board consolidated its mission to focus on core objectives and transitioned away from providing these services. In response, the Subbasin GSAs evaluated several options to ensure continuity of necessary services and decided to form a JPA.
The new Delta-Mendota Subbasin GSAs Joint Powers Authority, governed by a 7-member board representing all the subbasin GSAs, ensures local control and protects member rights while managing sustainability efforts. The goal of the JPA is to deliver collaborative, efficiency-driven sustainable management of the Subbasin’s groundwater. (Note: Going forward there will be 21 GSAs as Oro Loma and Widren Water Districts have joined the Central DeltaMendota GSA JPA.)