In light of last week’s decisions regarding the groundwater sustainability plans, groundwater managers in Fresno County are celebrating.  The backstory: The California Department of Water Resources announced its decisions for the groundwater sustainability plans for 10 basins in the Central Valley, giving the green light to the Kings Subbasin and Westside Subbasin, both of which are anchored in Fresno County. Groundwater sustainability plans are required by 2014’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act and govern how agencies in critically overdrafted areas achieve groundwater sustainability.  The big picture: The basins that received approval from the state will move forward to the implementation phase while those that were deemed inadequate will face direct oversight from the State Water Board.

Related articles: 

• Ag Alert: State declares six aquifer plans as out of compliance
• Food and Water Watch: Blog: In Spite of Recent Rain, California’s Central Valley Water Wells are Drying Up
• Porterville Recorder: Eastern Tule groundwater sustainability plan considered inadequate by state