GSA adopts strategic plan outlining governance, funding and tribal-engagement goals

The Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency unanimously adopted a strategic plan prepared by Stantec that lays out near- and long-term organizational, financial and institutional goals and tactics.

Isabelle Perez of Stantec said the plan was informed by 18 interviews and a situation assessment and described four principal goals: (1) improve governance and administrative processes, including updating the JPA and bylaws; (2) pursue collaborations and grant funds so projects identified in the GSP can be implemented with minimal financial impact on basin residents; (3) monitor land-use planning and integrate recent climate and modeling data into management; and (4) improve tribal engagement, including facilitating tribal representation on the board and TAC and integrating tribal knowledge into implementation efforts. Perez said edits clarified that the GSA's primary role is data gathering and monitoring, not enforcement or direct interventions.

Director Amber Bailey praised the plan as comprehensive. Following a motion by Director Amber Gasco and a second by Director Bailey, the board adopted the strategic plan by roll-call vote. Chair Eric Klein thanked Stantec and staff for the work and said the plan will become a guiding document for the agency.