By Lisa McEwen, SJV Water
The Eastern Tule Groundwater Sustainability Agency board took several actions at a recent meeting following a severe grilling by state Water Resources Control Board members during the region’s probation hearing on Sept. 17.
Board members called subsidence in Eastern Tule’s borders “alarming” and said its groundwater accounting and allocation methods “don’t make sense.”
The board placed the Tule subbasin on probation, with some exclusions for other groundwater agencies.
That came on top of a lawsuit by the Friant Water Authority against Eastern Tule over subsidence and groundwater accounting and internal strife that led several members of Eastern Tule to break away and form their own groundwater agencies.
Through it all, Eastern Tule has been steadfast in saying its groundwater plan would bring the area into sustainability eventually.
At its Oct. 3 meeting, the Eastern Tule board heard from hydrogeologist Thomas Harder who said the area is sinking faster than anticipated and will exceed allowable limits.
The board voted to implement greater pumping restrictions for growers in five areas near the Friant-Kern Canal. Those farmers will be allowed to pump 60% of their initial allocation.
In another area, board members cut pumping to just 30% of the allocation.
“There are a lot of moving parts right now that are taking into consideration the state water board’s comments and the board and staff are taking that seriously,” said Eastern Tule general manager Rogelio Caudillo. “There is a lot more coming with that.”
The GSA is also seeking to hire a program coordinator to assist in its efforts with other GSAs in the Tule Subbasin.
Caudillo said the individual will work on the Mulit-Benefit Land Repurposing Program (MLRP) and other grant programs with similar partnerships. Additionally, the new hire would work with partners in the subbasin domestic well mitigation program.
“The GSA’s programs were built from the bottom up and took time, and the GSA will continue to collect data, engage with stakeholders and make the adjustments necessary to achieve its goal,” Caudillo said.
SJV Water is an independent, nonprofit news site covering water in the San Joaquin Valley, www.sjvwater.org. Reach us at sjvwater@sjvwater.org
