Notice from the State Water Board:
The State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board or Board) designated the Tulare Lake Subbasin as probationary under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) on April 16, 2024. The Board designated the Tule Subbasin as probationary on September 17, 2024. Most groundwater pumpers in the Tulare Lake and Tule subbasins are required to report their groundwater extractions by May 1, 2026, and pay fees to the Board.
At the April 7, 2026, Board Meeting, the State Water Board will consider adopting resolutions to exclude groundwater pumpers in the Tulare Lake and Tule subbasins who extract no more than 20 acre-feet of groundwater per year from the reporting and fee requirements on the basis that these groundwater pumpers have a minimal impact on groundwater extractions. In the Tulare Lake Subbasin, this would exclude approximately 44% of groundwater pumpers who together account for less than 1% of the subbasin’s total water use. In the Tule Subbasin, this would exclude approximately 49% of groundwater pumpers who together account for approximately 1% of the subbasin’s total water use.
View the draft resolutions for more information:
Participate in the April 7, 2026, State Water Board Meeting
See the Board meeting agenda for more information on how to participate in person or remotely and how to provide verbal comment at the meeting.
Language Services: This meeting will be held in English, Spanish, and Punjabi. To request translation of a written document, interpretation services for the meeting, or sign language services please use one of the following options no later than March 23, 2026, if possible:
- Submit an online request: bit.ly/LanguageAccessForm
- Call (916) 341-5254
Written Public Comments
Members of the public may submit written comments to SGMA@waterboards.ca.gov with the subject line “Comments – Minimal Impact Exclusions.”
Comments can also be submitted by mail:
Courtney Tyler, Clerk to the Board
State Water Resources Control Board
P.O. Box 100, Sacramento, CA 95812-2000
The deadline for written comments is 12:00 noon on March 30, 2026.
More information:
- View the Tulare Lake Subbasin Notice
- View the Tule Subbasin Notice
- View the Tulare Lake Subbasin webpage, Tule Subbasin webpage, and Reporting and Fees webpage for information about existing reporting and fee requirements.
- Visit the Board’s general SGMA webpage.
Contact the SGMA Program at sgma@waterboards.ca.gov or 916-322-6508 for additional information.
