New Well Review Policy adopted by the Board will improve data collection and align new wells with target groundwater levels
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The North Kings GSA Board unanimously adopted the New Review Policy (NKGSA 2021-001) at the February 25th Board Meeting. The policy effects the process of new well permit review, enabling the North Kings GSA to collect critical groundwater management data while aiding well owners and drillers to align well depth and location with target groundwater levels outlined in the Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP).
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Permitting agencies including Fresno County and the Cities of Fresno, Clovis, and Kerman will now route applications to the North Kings GSA for a review period of up to five days, up from the previous 24-hours, unless exceptional circumstances exist that would prevent the review. By extending the review period of new well permits, the final policy will allow the North Kings GSA to maintain a high-quality database of wells.
Reviewing well permits will provide relevant data including location, proposed depth, and other construction details, and gives an accurate account of wells located within the GSA boundary. With data management at the helm of effectively managing groundwater under SGMA, recording information on wells drilled within the North Kings GSA boundary provides a clear direction to groundwater managers leading the area to sustainability.
The review period will also give North Kings GSA staff enough time to review and reach out to well owners and drillers to provide groundwater level information and guidance. This will ensure well owners are given the opportunity to make informed decisions on their investment considering fluctuations in groundwater levels on the road to balanced levels by 2040.
After several rounds of reviews by the Advisory Committee, well permitting agencies, and a public review opportunity, a number of revisions by the policy workgroup were made before reaching a final adopted version.
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Fresno County Well Driller Meeting
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THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021 AT 3:00 PM
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The North Kings GSA’s New Well Review Policy impacts the timeline for well permit issuance.
Well drillers are invited to attend an online meeting hosted by Fresno County to learn about groundwater sustainability and new wells.
This is an opportunity for well drillers to ask questions of Fresno County and North Kings GSA staff on groundwater usage and expediting the processing of a well permit.
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(click image to download flyer)
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The North Kings GSA extends its thanks to the following workgroup members who facilitated the development of an effective policy that meets the needs of the North Kings GSA, permitting agencies, and well owners for the purpose of sustainable groundwater management:
- Glenn Allen, Fresno County
- Paul Armendariz, City of Clovis
- Adam Claes, Fresno Irrigation District
- Tom Krazan, Kings River Drilling
- Lindsay Cedarquist, Maricopa Orchards
- David Cehrs, Hydrologist/Resident
- Sayre Miller, Grower/Resident
- Sue Ruiz, Self Help Enterprises/Private Well Owner
- Ronnie Samuelian, Provost & Pritchard
- Lisa Koehn, Retired Clovis - Resident
- Nicholas Torstensen - City of Clovis
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Spring groundwater measurements begin
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Well access agreements and construction information still needed for data gathering efforts
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Spring groundwater level measurements began March 1st and will continue through the end of the month, with the bulk of measurements planned for the first two weeks of the month. Measuring groundwater levels is a critical data gathering activity occurring in the spring and fall of every year, and are a report card on the progress of achieving long-term objectives outlined in the Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP).
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The North Kings GSA is coordinating with the City of Fresno and Fresno Irrigation District (FID) to obtain groundwater data at most wells included in the North Kings GSA’s monitoring network. The North Kings GSA records groundwater levels at 35 wells spatially distributed throughout the 300,000-acre area to get a snapshot of what is occurring with groundwater. This data collection is part of a larger set of wells historically measured by Fresno and FID that provide a full picture of groundwater levels, flows, and aquifer storage change.
The North Kings GSA is continuing its efforts to secure well access agreements with well owners included in its monitoring network so the GSA can gather data semi-annually. Beyond agreements, construction information is needed under SGMA to include a well in the GSA’s monitoring network. Efforts to collect construction reports are ongoing. The North Kings GSA is working with its technical consultant, Provost & Pritchard, to video wells using small-diameter video inspection equipment when construction documentation is not available.
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Coordination between Kings Subbasin GSAs will continue under approved professional services contract with Provost & Pritchard
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A professional services contract totaling $33,000 for Kings Subbasin coordination activities by Provost & Pritchard, the North Kings GSA’s technical consultant, was approved by the Board at the February 25th Board Meeting.
Tasks included in the contract include basin coordination facilitation between the Kings Subbasin’s seven Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) including the North Kings GSA, groundwater pumping estimations, and Annual Report preparation.
The total contract amount for Kings Subbasin coordination is $105,000. The North Kings GSA’s portion totals $33,000.
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New Groundwater Guides available to help domestic well owners and school facilities operators manage their wells
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Newly developed Groundwater Guides are now available for download to assist domestic well owners and school facilities managers/water operators understand how they fit into sustainable groundwater management under SGMA.
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Quick-Reference Groundwater Guides for domestic well owners are available in Spanish and Hmong.
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The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) impacts all beneficial users of groundwater, including domestic well owners and schools. The North Kings GSA is dedicated to engaging and providing helpful resources to these stakeholders throughout SGMA implementation, and hopes these resources prove useful for managing wells.
For any questions on the resources, or to follow up with the North Kings GSA with questions about groundwater levels, contact Kassy Chauhan, Executive Director, at (559) 233-7161.
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North Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency
C/O Fresno Irrigation District
2907 S Maple Avenue
Fresno, CA 93725
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