The first quarter of 2025 is closing, and I wanted to discuss what has been accomplished and what to expect going forward.
2024 was pivotal for North Fork Kings GSA. The GSA took the necessary steps to address the State recommended “Corrective Actions” to maintain our approved status with the CA Department of Water Resources (DWR).
The first domino was our successful Proposition 218 election – this demonstrates we have a sustainable local funding stream for the necessary studies and programs needed to comply with SGMA.
In addition, the GSA launched a Domestic Well Mitigation pilot called the Dry Well Relief Program, earmarking $1,000,000 to get it started. We also completed the first phase of our confined aquifer study, which will help us analyze the subsidence taking place on our border edges, specifically along our southeastern border that meets the Tulare Lake Subbasin. Under our Well Registration Program, we closed out 2024 with over 85% of the GSA acreage registered.
Lastly, in the winter you may have noticed the County of Fresno broke ground on the old Elkhorn facility. The GSA will obtain a recharge basin at this site to help capture additional surplus surface water supplies to recharge the aquifer.
With all of this accomplished, we submitted our updated Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP or Plan) to the state by the January 31, 2025, deadline. As we wait for DWR to review our updated Plan, it is important to prepare for the two possible outcomes: approval or denial.
Approval means we carry out the management actions and programs listed within the GSP. Denial means we would head to a probationary hearing with the State Water Resources Control Board, like several of our neighboring subbasins before us. In both cases, we still must pay for the necessary engineering and consulting to demonstrate the groundwater situation within the GSA. Our successes outlined in this message will be to our advantage, should we have a probationary hearing.
The number one factor affected by approval or denial will be how fast we go to a groundwater allocation (pumping restrictions). With an approved GSP, we can study the numbers and communicate the findings at our current pace. Alternatively, undergoing probation could mean the State of California sets the allocation and penalties at their desired pace. Until we hear back from DWR, the North Fork Kings GSA is determined to work with our Subbasin partners to study a Water Allocation Framework.
Individually, the GSA is building out the Watermark dashboard and working with surface water units on the best ways to report the differing water accounting techniques of each unit (district). For this accounting, individual landowners will need to review and clean up any data they entered in Watermark so that they receive the proper credit to their water account. You can find more information about what to do and look for in the Watermark Dashboard article here.
Your GSA staff is available to speak with you and answer any questions about the GSA or your Watermark account. Please email help@northforkkings.org.