Fractures are rapidly mending in the Kings County region after groundwater agencies split apart two years ago when the state placed the region on probation. In the latest show of unity, the Mid-Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) voted June 9 to join a region-wide effort to write a single groundwater management plan, rather than each of the five GSAs writing its own. At the same meeting, a representative of the Kings County Water District, which abandoned the GSA in 2024, asked to reconcile. … The five GSAs are hoping to present a cohesive plan that the Water Resources Control Board finds acceptable to bring the Tulare Lake subbasin, which covers most of Kings County out of probation. The Water Board placed the area on probation in 2024.

Other groundwater news:

• SJV Water (Bakersfield, Calif.): State proposes new “good guy’ application fee of up to $250,000 for groundwater oversight costs
• Arizona Capitol Times (Phoenix): Attorney general and Fondomonte clash over trial date in groundwater dispute
• Ariz. Sen. Mark Kelly: News release: Kelly, Cornyn introduce bill to improve groundwater research along the U.S.-Mexico border