Kaweah Subbasin Awaits State Board Detailed GSP Review and Next Steps for Transition back under DWR 

At the January 27, 2025 East Kaweah GSA board meeting, technical consultants provided an update on the Kaweah Subbasin’s probationary process with the State Water Resources Control Board (State Board). The State Board staff is currently performing a detailed review of the Kaweah Subbasin’s Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSPs or Plans) submitted last November, with more feedback on the detailed review expected this summer.

The State Board staff have already completed a preliminary review of the Kaweah Subbasin’s GSPs. During their initial look, staff indicated the GSPs appeared to adequately address deficiencies, spurring the cancellation of the January 2025 Probationary Hearing.

While the State Board performs a detailed review of the GSPs, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the State Board are establishing the process to formally place the Kaweah Subbasin GSAs solely back under DWR jurisdiction, an indication that local groundwater management will continue within the Subbasin for the foreseeable future.

Under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), DWR serves an administrative and technical oversight role, while the State Board serves as an enforcement agency if local GSAs are unable to adequately develop or implement their respective GSPs. After two unsuccessful attempts to develop GSPs that met DWR’s standards, the Kaweah Subbasin was transitioned to State Board oversight, referred to as “State Intervention” in March 2023. During State Intervention, the objective of both the State Board and GSAs is for the GSAs to develop and implement a GSP that adequately addresses DWR and State Board identified deficiencies before a Probationary Hearing.

The Probationary Hearing entails the 5-member State Board decides to place the Subbasin on probation (with associated fees and reporting requirements) or to consider alternative approaches like allowing more time to resolve deficiencies or move the Subbasin out of State Intervention and back to DWR’s purview. The GSAs have since coordinated closely with State Board staff, meeting routinely throughout development of the latest Plan to meet expectations and ultimately avoid a State Board decision to put the Subbasin on probation.

Throughout the process of GSP amendments and reviews, East Kaweah GSA has remained under local control and continues to implement strategies to achieve sustainability outlined in its GSP.

As the State Board completes its detailed review, it will continue communication and bring remaining questions to the Kaweah Subbasin technical team.