STATE BOARD RECOMMENDS RETURN TO DWR OVERSIGHT
The State Water Resources Control Board staff recommended returning Mid-Kaweah GSA to DWR oversight after finding all four required elements addressed and successful implementation tracking. This represents major progress toward getting out from under State Board jurisdiction.
WATER ALLOCATION RECOMMENDATION: 1.5 ACRE-FEET PER ACRE
The committee recommended reducing water allocation from 1.83 to 1.5 acre-feet per acre for 2026, keeping the $10 per acre-foot fee. Based on "what you put in is what you get out" methodology. Average grower has 4.19 acre-feet in credits to buffer the reduction.
WELL REGISTRATION PROGRAM ADVANCES WITH INCENTIVES
The program will use positive incentives rather than penalties. Unregistered wells limited to 10-inch native yield; registered wells eligible for full allocations, surface water programs, grants, and priority mitigation access.
Injection Well Pilot Program
Exploring surface water injection into existing wells to recharge lower aquifer, similar to successful Westlands programs.
Well Inventory Progress
Completed pilot survey of 7 sections in Division 4; expanding district-wide using TID trucks and GPS mapping.
Policy Recommendations
Committee recommended approval of dedicated recharge basin policy amendments and updated well meter calibration requirements.
Water Transfer Program
Recommended new policy allowing transfers to Greater Kaweah GSA (contiguous properties within 3 miles, 350 acre-feet max per account).
Subsidence Update
Lower aquifer shows continued subsidence while upper aquifer rebounds when pumps shut off, confirming confined aquifer behavior.
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Email: akf@tulareid.org (1 hour before meetings)
In-Person: TID Office, 6826 Avenue 240, Tulare
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