Landowners and farmers in the Tule and Tulare Lake subbasins can now log onto the state’s groundwater reporting system ahead of the May 1 deadline. The state Water Resources Control Board announced that its groundwater extraction annual reporting system, or GEARS, is open for pumpers to begin reporting how much they pump and paying fees. Pumpers are required to meter their wells, pay $300 per well to register then with the state and pay $20 per acre foot of groundwater pumped. … This is all part of the region’s probationary designation for lacking an adequate groundwater plan.

Other groundwater news around the West:

• Arizona Mirror: Rural Arizonans fight bill that would let a hedge fund sell their water to Phoenix
• Daily Republic (Fairfield, Calif.): State releases updated groundwater bulletin linked to state’s water future
• SJV Water (Bakersfield, Calif.): Some Kings County farmers call “BS” on state proposal to let small pumpers off the hook
• Gov. Gavin Newsom: News release: New report highlights California’s vital work to recharge groundwater
• Arizona Daily Star (Tucscon): Opinion: Arizona needs special session to deal with water issues