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Eastern San Joaquin Groundwater Basin Groundwater Management Plan With the above concerns in mind, the Authority is currently exploring a number of potential governance models suitable for the unique situation in Eastern San Joaquin County. 7.2 Organizational Structures Organized stakeholder groups come in all shapes and sizes and hold varying degrees of authority and powers. The form of a stakeholder group is entirely dependant on its function or activities. Stakeholders can be coordinated under one of various organizational structures for representation, including 1) Joint powers agreement (JPA), 2) Memorandum of understanding, 3) various types of water districts (e.g., water replenishment district, water conservation district). The following subsections discuss each type of organizational structure in more detail. 7.2.1 Joint Powers Agreement Pursuant to Government Code Section 6500 et. seq., two or more public agencies may enter into a joint powers agreement for the purpose of exercising those powers common to each of the member agencies. Powers include but are not limited to: execution of contracts; employment of staff; issuance of bonds, acquisition of property, construction, operation and maintenance of facilities, and incurrence of debt. JPAs have the authority to prepare, adopt, and implement groundwater management plans developed pursuant to Water Code section 10750 et. seq. JPAs may also seek additional powers through the legislature. Case Study: San Joaquin Council of Governments —The San Joaquin Council of Governments (SJCOG) is a joint powers authority comprised of the County of San Joaquin and the Cities of Stockton, Lodi, Manteca, Tracy, Ripon, Escalon and Lathrop. SJCOG serves as the regional transportation planning agency for San Joaquin County. SJCOG also analyzes population statistics, airport land use, habitat and open space planning, and other regional issues. SJCOG fosters intergovernmental and public coordination within San Joaquin County, in neighboring jurisdictions, and with other various State and federal agencies. Measure K, the half-cent sales tax measure passed in 1990 for San Joaquin County, is administered by SJCOG and overseen by its Board of Directors. The SJCOG Board of Directors consists of one voting member from each of the member agencies and an additional member from San Joaquin County. Over the twenty-year life of Measure K, an estimated $750,000,000 will have been generated for regional transportation projects. 7.2.2 Memorandum of Understanding A memorandum of understanding (MOU) is a somewhat more flexible organizational structure that allows signatory agencies to pursue a common purpose or goals. The organization formed by the MOU cannot directly enter into any contracts, incur debt, or employ staff directly. An organization formed under an MOU is adequate for consensus building and facilitation. Case Study: : The Butte Basin Water Users Association -The Butte Basin Water Users Association in Butte County is an example of a group formed under an MOU who share common interests. In response to water management challenges encountered during consecutive drought years through the mid-1990's, agricultural and urban water purveyors organized themselves to combine financial and technical resources to better understand and manage the surface water and groundwater resources. In addition to promoting improved water management by individual agencies through the collective sharing of information, the organization was able to demonstrate broad local support for their efforts. Northeastern San Joaquin County Section 7 Groundwater Banking Authority 99 Plan Governance