Vina Groundwater Sustainability Agency Board 

The Vina Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) Board is the governing body responsible for ensuring the sustainable management of groundwater resources within the Vina Subbasin. Formed through a Joint Powers Agreement, the board is dedicated to implementing the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) requirements to safeguard our groundwater for future generations. 

Purpose of the GSA Board 

The GSA Board's primary mission is to oversee the development, adoption, and implementation of a Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP). This plan is essential for achieving groundwater sustainability in the basin, addressing critical issues such as water quality, water supply reliability, and ecosystem health. The board is committed to involving the public and stakeholders through comprehensive outreach and engagement efforts. 

Composition of the Board 

Our board represents a broad spectrum of interests: 

• Member Directors: One representative from each of the three founding agencies—Butte County, City of Chico, and Durham Irrigation District. Each Member Director must hold a current position within their respective governing body. 

• Stakeholder Directors: Two additional directors representing key stakeholder interests within the basin:
  • Agricultural Stakeholder Director: Represents the interests of agricultural water users. 
  • Domestic Well User Stakeholder Director: Represents the interests of domestic well owners. 

Each representative, whether a member director or a stakeholder director, brings unique perspectives crucial for comprehensive groundwater management. 

Butte County, Board of Supervisors:

• Tod Kimmelshue (primary) 
• Tami Ritter (alternate)

City of Chico, City Council:

• Katie Hawley (primary)
• Kasey Reynolds (alternate) 

Durham Irrigation District, Board Directors:

• Matt Doyle (primary)
• Kevin Phillips (alternate)

Agricultural Well User Stakeholder:

• Jeffrey Rohwer (primary) (term expires 10/10/2027)(Board Vice Chair)
• Steven Koehnen (alternate) (term expires 10/10/2027)

Non-Agricultural Domestic Well User Stakeholder:

• Evan Tuchinsky (primary) (term expires 10/10/2027)(Board Chair)
• Claudia Rawlins (alternate) (term expires 10/10/2027 )

Appointment and Terms 

Member Directors are appointed by their respective agency’s governing body, while Stakeholder Directors are appointed by the Member Directors from a pool of qualified nominees following an open application process. 

Terms of Office: Each director serves a term of four years and may be reappointed. Alternate Directors are also appointed to serve in the absence of primary directors. 

Committees Supporting the Board 

Management Committee: Includes staff representatives from each member agency, assisting in administering the GSA's activities. 

Stakeholder Advisory Committee: Comprises representatives from various stakeholder groups, providing recommendations to the board on GSP-related matters. 

Community Involvement 

The GSA Board is committed to maintaining open lines of communication with the community. Public input is actively sought and considered in all board decisions. Community members are encouraged to attend meetings, participate in discussions, and provide feedback to help shape the future of groundwater management in the basin.