Common-pool and common-problems: the efficacy of groundwater sustainability agencies in managing groundwater resources

The threat of depleted groundwater resources as a result of climate change and overconsumption in California led to the adoption of the state’s first real attempt at regulation in the form of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. The legislation puts the primary enforcement mechanisms in the hands of local administrators. The capabilities of local agencies to efficiently manage common pool resources is examined through case study. There are many competing theories related to the best way to manage common pool resources, all of which are insufficient for the purposes of evaluating the proposed governance system for California. These theories are explored, and an alternative framework is presented as an appropriate tool for which to examine the efficacy of local agencies in this setting. A focus on determining what challenges and opportunities the local agencies will face in the implementation process was adhered to.