Kaweah Subbasin Mitigation Program / EKGSA Mitigation Plan
In a first-of-its-kind partnership, the EKGSA has formed a partnership with Self-Help Enterprises to mitigate the drinking water impacts to everyone within the East Kaweah boundary as the GSA works towards sustainability under SGMA.
The Kaweah Subbasin Mitigation Program is the coordinated framework that each of the GSAs have agreed to in the development of their perspective Mitigation Plans.
The EKGSA Mitigation Plan is the effort to respond to impacts caused by groundwater overdraft, including to wells and critical infrastructure, during the implementation of the Groundwater Sustainability Plan.
What You Need to Know
Background
The Mitigation Program is a diligent and coordinated response to the Department of Water Resources’ (DWR) inadequate determination of the Kaweah Subbasin GSAs’ Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSPs). On March 2, 2023, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) determined that six of the resubmitted GSPs for critically overdrafted, high-priority groundwater basins in the Central Valley are inadequate. This included the Kaweah Subbasin and its GSAs — the East Kaweah, Mid Kaweah, and Greater Kaweah GSAs. This incomplete determination has marked the transition of the Kaweah Subbasin GSAs from DWR oversight to the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB).
East Kaweah, Greater Kaweah, and Mid Kaweah GSAs have an unknown amount of time to address DWR’s comments before a SWRCB probationary hearing. The Kaweah Subbasin GSAs and their respective technical teams are working closely together and with stakeholders through advisory committees to efficiently address DWR’s comments and engage with SWRCB staff to avoid probation and maintain local control over groundwater management.
The SWRCB probationary hearing will determine if these six inadequate basins have sufficiently improved their GSPs. In the event the SWRCB deems the progress inadequate, the basin will enter a period of SWRCB probation, which includes potential for fees, metering, and groundwater extraction reporting. The Kaweah Subbasin GSAs are swiftly coordinating on the technical and policy improvements recommended by DWR. Improvements to the GSP include the Mitigation Program and addressing inconsistencies of prior land subsidence and chronic lowering of groundwater levels sustainable management criteria.
PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
The East Kaweah GSA invited all well owners to participate in a Special Board Meeting on Friday, June 23, 2023 at 3 PM at the Exeter Museum where the Board of Directors unanimously approved the release of a Draft Kaweah Subbasin Mitigation Framework and Draft EKGSA Mitigation Plan for a 45-day public comment period. The Draft Plan addresses impacts to wells and critical infrastructure induced by groundwater overdraft.
A 45-day public comment period began on June 24, 2023, and ended on August 7, 2023. East Kaweah GSA encouraged stakeholders to review the Draft Plan and submit comments.
Stakeholders are still able to download the public comment form to complete and email to groundwater@ekgsa.org, or print the form and mail to PO Box 908, Lindsay, CA 93247. Stakeholders can also stop by the office to fill out a public comment form in person. The public comment period is closed, and the Board of Directors will be voting to approve revisions to the Draft Mitigation Plan. Stay engaged in the program development by signing up for our email newsletter here.
Draft Mitigation Plan Documents
