SGMA Round Up

SGMA News

The Kings County Farm Bureau (KCFB) was in court this week on their lawsuit against the State Water Resources Control Board. Here is an update from Dusty Ference, KCFB Executive Director:

I want to share a timely update following yesterday’s court appearance in our case against the State Water Resources Control Board.

The hearing was expected to be a procedural step to set our Preliminary Injunction hearing. It did not unfold that way. Even so, we left the courthouse encouraged. While we did not get everything we asked for, the outcome puts us in a stronger position than expected.

Here is the situation, clearly and directly.

What Did Not Go Our Way

Growers in the Tulare Lake Subbasin must still report groundwater pumping data to the SWRCB by May 1.

This is not because the judge ruled against us or rejected our arguments. The court made clear its direction was not based on a ruling against KCFB or a determination on the merits of the case. Rather, it is a function of the court’s calendar. The judge acknowledged the constraints of the situation and indicated that the decision was driven by timing, not the underlying legal arguments. Due to scheduling constraints, the judge cannot hear our request for a Preliminary Injunction until June 3, rather than April 21, as previously announced.

What Did Go Our Way

The court enjoined the State Board from collecting any fees related to the reports until the Preliminary Injunction can be heard. Additionally, the court ruled that stringent requirements for meters, calibration, and measurement do not control this reporting; rather, the court included the State Board’s commitment that it will accept best estimates for reporting. 

This is a meaningful outcome. It maintains a key protection for growers while we continue to press forward.

What Happens Next

We will return to court on June 3, when the judge will consider our request for a Preliminary Injunction. That decision will directly affect whether the State can proceed with enforcement actions while the case is ongoing.

KCFB will release a formal public statement soon. In the meantime, I wanted you to hear this update directly.

Your support continues to make this work possible. This case carries implications well beyond our region, and we are committed to seeing it through.

On April 21, 2026, at a regular State Water Resources Control Board meeting, in the afternoon, the request from the Tule Subbasin GSAs for exclusions from reporting and paying fees will be considered by the Board. The staff of the State Board is recommending that no further exclusions be granted. You can read their report here.

The GSAs, however, will be vigorously disputing the State Board staff assertions in public comments, both verbal and written. They are encouraging all interested parties to show up at the meeting, either in person in Sacramento or on-line. They have prepared the following points for folks to consider and comment letters for submission, which are available below. Also linked is an article published today by SJV Water regarding Tulare County water mangers pushing back on state subsidence data.

Lower Tule River & Pixley GSA

Summary Talking Points

Available Here

EKI Comment Letter to

Lower Tule River & Pixley GSA

on State Water Board Staff Report

Available Here

SJV Water Article Regarding State’s Subsidence Data

Available Here

Here is the attendance information for the meeting:

IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE

Tuesday, April 21, 2026 – 9:00 a.m.

Coastal Hearing Room – Second Floor Joe Serna Jr.

Building 1001 I Street, Sacramento

VIDEO AND TELECONFERENCE OPTIONS

For those who only wish to watch the meeting, the webcast remains available at either https://www.youtube.com/user/BoardWebSupport/ or https://video.calepa.ca.gov/

 (closed captioning available) and should be used UNLESS you intend to comment.

For members of the public who wish to comment on an agenda item or are presenting to the Board, additional information about participating telephonically or via the Board’s online platform is available at: https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/board_info/remote_meeting/

Landowners in the Tulare Lake and the Tule Subbasins are required to report their pumping to the State Board through a state run internet portal called GEARS. There are three in-person workshops the State Board staff is conducting over the next two weeks where you can get help entering your data.

Groundwater pumpers in the Tulare Lake and Tule subbasins can get personal help with GEARS at in-person office hours:

April 29, 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Corcoran

Veteran’s Memorial Building: 1000 Van Dorsten Ave, Corcoran, CA 93212

April 30, 10 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Lemoore

Veterans Hall: 411 West D St., Lemoore, CA, 93245

April 30, 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Allensworth

Allensworth Elementary: 3320 Young Road, Earlimart, CA 93219

On April 7, the State Board took two SGMA related actions. They sent the Delta Mendota Subbasin back to the Department of Water Resources, thereby releasing them from probationary consideration. See article here.

The State Board also voted to exclude small pumpers from the requirement to report pumping and pay fees. See article here.

Long-Term SGMA News

The Water Blueprint for the San Joaquin Valley has been developing a Unified Valley Water Plan to identify what can be done to address the huge water supply shortfall due to the implementation of SGMA. The plan has 6 substantive chapters which have been released in draft form over the past 8 months. The sixth chapter, which includes recommendations, was released this week and the Blueprint board received a presentation at their meeting on April 15. You can see the presentation slides here.

You can also access a draft of all six chapters of the Unified Valley Water Plan here.

Geoff Vanden Heuvel

Director of Regulatory and Economic Affairs