By Sonia Lemus, SJV Water
Meeting agendas:
- Wheeler Ridge-Maricopa Water Storage District: CLICK HERE
- Arvin-Edison Water Storage District: CLICK HERE’
- Cawelo Water District: CLICK HERE
- North Kern Water Storage District: CLICK HERE
Agricultural water districts in the Kern groundwater subbasin began approving amendments to the region’s groundwater sustainability plan this month in anticipation of resubmitting it to the state Water Resources Control Board by June 20.
The Arvin-Edison, Wheeler Ridge-Maricopa and North Kern water storage districts, along with the Cawelo Water District, acting as groundwater sustainability agencies (GSAs), approved the latest plan amendments.
The amendments focus on improving groundwater levels, greater protections for drinking water wells and more community engagement. The subbasin has had several meetings with state Water Board staff to work through questions the state board may have.
Meanwhile, it was reported at the Wheeler Ridge-Maricopa, Cawelo, and North Kern board meetings that the Henry Miller GSA has been having its own meetings on the side with state board staff.
Members of the Cawelo GSA questioned if these side meetings could be a “nail” to the region’s presentation before the Water Board.
Dave Halopoff, assistant manager said he doesn’t know yet and they most likely won’t know until the September hearing before the state board.
“I don’t know what they (Water Board) could do because to some degree, if they don’t agree with Henry Miller, they could hold the whole basin hostage. I don’t think they will, but they could,” said an unidentified Cawelo GSA board member.
At the Wheeler Ridge-Maricopa Water Storage District some board members questioned if any of the subbasin entities might not approve the GSP final amendments.
General Manager Sheridan Nicholas said he believed all the entities would approve the amendments.
Nicholas did, however, note that Henry Miller GSA had some “differences of opinion” on some groundwater level minimum thresholds and would have its own “blue pages” within the region’s overall plan. Blue pages are additional pages at the end of the plan that explain differences in particular GSAs. Minimum thresholds are the lowest depth groundwater is allowed to drop to before groundwater agencies take action to stop the decline.
At the North Kern meeting Joel Ackerknecht, vice president of the North Kern board, asked how Henry Miller had gotten an individual meeting with state board staff.
“They were the remaining outstanding GSA that didn’t adjust (their minimum threshold levels), so I think state board staff recognized they needed to have this discussion with them,” said David Hampton, general manager of North Kern. “And Henry Miller felt pretty strongly about their position, and felt like they needed to make their case forward. It looks like it is maybe coming to a suitable resolution.”
How to attend:
- Arvin-Edison meets at noon on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at its office, 20401 E. Bear Mountain Blvd., or online via Microsoft Teams
- Wheeler Ridge meets at 8 a.m. on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at its office, 12109 Hwy 166, or online at https://www.gotomeet.me/WRMWSD
- Cawelo meets at 9 a.m. on the 2nd Thursday of each month at its district office, 17207 Industrial Farm Road. You can also join online via Zoom.
- North Kern meets at 7 a.m. on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at their offices located at 33380 Cawelo Avenue.
