The Merced Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Agency was created for the purpose of forming a joint powers agency, separate from its members, that will be the Groundwater Sustainable Agency (GSA) for a portion of the Merced Groundwater Subbasin. The Merced Subbasin GSA will develop, adopt, and implement a Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) for a portion of the Merced Subbasin in order to implement the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act’s (SGMA) requirements and achieve the sustainability goals outlined in SGMA. 

During the development and implementation of the Merced Subbasin GSP, the GSA will involve the public and local stakeholders through outreach and engagement efforts. Additionally, the Merced Subbasin GSA intends to coordinate and cooperate with other GSAs operating in the Merced Groundwater Subbasin in order to meet the sustainability requirements outlined in SGMA.

GSP Adoption

The Merced Subbasin GSA adopted the Merced Groundwater Sustainability Plan on December 9, 2019, following a public hearing. Following adoption by all three GSA’s in the Merced Subbasin, the GSP submitted to the California Department of Water Resources by the January 31, 2020 deadline.  The GSP was prepared in response to the passage of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act of 2014 and applies to the Merced Subbasin.  Additional information on the Merced GSP is available at www.mercedsgma.org.

Governing Board

• Lloyd Pareira, County of Merced - Chair
• Nic Marchini, Western White Area Representative - Vice Chair    
• Michael Gallo, Eastern White Area Representative
• Gino Pedretti, Sandy Mush Mutual Water Company
• Kole Upton, Le Grand Athlone Water District
• Eric Swenson, Merquin County Water District