SGMA implementation and Tule subbasin probation
Tulare County
Summary
The County is lending up to $500,000 to the newly reorganized Tule East GSA, repayable over about five years, after the East Thule GSA dissolved quickly. Groundwater banking opportunities discussed could eventually bring new water to southwest Tulare County.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 7
- Last 30 days
- 1
Discussed at 1 meeting in the last 60 days; most recently Oct 12, 2026.
Impact analysis
County general fund lends up to $500,000, repaid over about five years.
Landowners in the newly formed Tule East GSA, whose district gets working capital during reorganization.
Growers in white areas facing higher pumping costs, GSA fees, and land that leases and sells for far less than irrigated ground.
Mentions & discussions (7)
Tulare County Water Commission-Regular Meeting - Oct 12, 2026
The Tule subbasin is still on probation, and the state could release possible pumping moratoriums for specific areas as early as January. Prop 4 grant funding guidelines are out, and a well report shows 517 households still relying on bottled or hauled water.
Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting - Aug 11, 2026
Supervisor Vander Poel reported the Greater Kaweah Groundwater Sustainability Agency's pumping allowance drops from 90% to 70% of historical overdraft this water year — restrictions are now really biting farmers.
Tulare County Water Commission-Regular - Jul 13, 2026
Well registration in the Greater Kaweah area is about halfway done (roughly 2,000 of 4,000), Tulare subbasin GSAs are reorganizing, and agencies are exploring pumping retirement and water purchase tools.
Tulare County Water Commission-Regular Meeting - May 11, 2026
Well permits are running higher than last year, partly from a West Tulare project that destroyed some wells. GSAs are working to fix shortfalls and get the Tule Subbasin out of probationary status.
Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting - May 5, 2026
The County is lending up to $500,000 to the newly reorganized Tule East GSA, repayable over about five years, after the East Thule GSA dissolved quickly. Groundwater banking opportunities discussed could eventually bring new water to southwest Tulare County.
Tulare County Water Commission -Regular Meeting - Feb 9, 2026
Staff gave an update on groundwater sustainability implementation and probationary status — the state oversight affecting how much farmers and communities can pump in the Tule and other subbasins. This shapes the future of water supply countywide.
Agricultural Advisory Committee -Regular Meeting - Jan 21, 2026
Farm Bureau pressed for a countywide clearinghouse to combine what SGMA, the GSAs, the crop report, and private groups know about land going out of production and ownership consolidating into fewer, larger operations. The county reports about 12,000 idled acres, but no one is aggregating the full picture.
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