The Northern Delta Mendota Region Management Committee developed the Pumping Reduction Plan (PRP) to meet the requirements of Section 16.1 of the 2024 Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) for the Delta Mendota Subbasin. The PRP covers six key components:
- Monitoring and Data Collection Plan
- Overdraft Mitigation Plan
- Groundwater Level Minimum Threshold (GWL-MT) Avoidance Plan
- Water Quality Minimum Threshold (WQ-MT) Exceedance Plan
- Subsidence Avoidance Plan
- Groundwater Allocation Backstop
It applies to the five GSAs in the Committee: City of Patterson GSA, DM-II GSA, Northwestern Delta-Mendota GSA, Patterson Irrigation District and Twin Oaks GSA, and West Stanislaus Irrigation District GSA. The plan defines triggers and procedures for when and how pumping reductions occur, including:
- Entry triggers to activate the PRP
- Zones of impact (ZOI) where the PRP applies
- Cutback approaches to estimate reduction amounts
- Exit triggers to end cutbacks once goals are met
- Enforcement measures to ensure compliance
It also includes monitoring and reporting requirements consistent with the GSP. Wells serving de minimis users are exempt from cutbacks. The PRP is a living document, meant to be updated as new data become available. Each GSA is responsible for implementation, while coordination and oversight come from the Committee and the Basin Coordination Committee. Monitoring, reporting, and enforcement follow the GSP and the Basin GSAs’ Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) unless otherwise specified.
Pumping Reduction Plan