The Kaweah Subbasin is moving forward to coordinate final amendments to the Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSP or Plan) before the probationary hearing scheduled for January 2025. This effort will incorporate the requirements outlined by the State Water Resources Control Board (State Board) in their May 2024 staff report. Our focus remains on addressing deficiencies in the GSP regarding chronic lowering of groundwater levels, land subsidence, degraded water quality, and depletion of interconnected surface water.

Out of our commitment to our Kaweah Subbasin stakeholders to keep groundwater management local, our goal is to have the next amended GSP complete and submitted to the State Board this fall in advance of the January 2025 Probationary Hearing, providing time for State Board staff to review amendments ahead of the hearing.

Following more than a year of close coordination with its Kaweah Subbasin partner GSAs, the East Kaweah GSA successfully completed its amended Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) draft in June. This latest GSP addresses the requirements and comments from the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) following their inadequate determination in 2023. The amended Plan underwent a thorough public review process, ensuring transparency and community involvement in our groundwater management efforts. We want to thank those who participated in our outreach efforts, including the July State of the Subbasin event, and those who submitted their comments during the public review period in July.

At every step of the GSP process, the Kaweah Subbasin GSA managers, staff, and consulting teams have committed significant time and resources to develop GSPs that meet State standards. A State-approved GSP is the current primary factor in keeping groundwater management local and stakeholder-driven.

As we work diligently on the final amendments, we anticipate DWR to release guidance on best management practices for land subsidence along with other issues the Kaweah GSAs must address. This guidance will be instrumental in helping the GSA better understand the State’s requirements and standards when reviewing GSPs.