Public invited to Kern groundwater workshops
The public is invited to two virtual workshops this week and next to learn more about the Kern subbasin’s proposed groundwater plan.
The first workshop will be held this Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. via Zoom at https://bit.ly/4l1wJCb.
A second virtual workshop will be held June 11 via Zoom, also from 6 to 8 p.m. at https://bit.ly/4l1wJCb.
All workshop materials and communications will be provided in English, Spanish, and Punjabi.
Both workshops will explain the basics of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), which requires overpumped regions to bring aquifers into balance by 2040.
While water managers are working to increase groundwater recharge in the region, that won’t be enough. Most farmers and others will have to decrease pumping to achieve balance.
The region’s proposed groundwater plan lays out what that will mean for various water users and how water managers intend to protect drinking water wells in the process.
Public outreach and input is also required under SGMA. Water managers are hoping to answer whatever questions people have about the new regulations and their proposed plan during these workshops and refine the plan, if needed.
Their goal is to avoid the subbasin being placed on “probation” by the state Water Resources Control Board.
Under probation, farmers would have to meter each of their wells and pay an annual $300-per-well registration fee, report extractions to the state and pay $20 per acre foot pumped. That would be on top of fees and reporting they already do for their local groundwater agencies.
The Water Board is scheduled to hold a probationary hearing on Kern’s groundwater plan Sept. 17.
Previous versions of the Kern plan have already been rejected by the state, which initially recommended the region be put on probation.
At a Feb. 20, 2025 hearing, however the Water Board agreed the region had made progress on its plan and gave water managers more time to address deficiencies, such as greater protection for domestic wells.
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