In a historic move, California water regulators have taken action against the Tulare Lake basin, a major farming region, for failing to address the detrimental effects of excessive groundwater pumping. The State Water Resources Control Board unanimously voted to put the area on "probationary" status, marking the first use of the state's authority to intervene under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act.

Over the last decade, falling groundwater levels in the Tulare Lake basin have caused the land to sink by as much as 6 feet in certain areas, posing a significant threat to the region. The state officials determined that the local plan for managing groundwater would allow the decline to persist, putting hundreds of household wells at risk of running dry.

By placing the basin on probation, the water board has mandated that large agricultural landowners report the amount of water they extract from wells and pay fees based on their usage. The decision was made despite calls from farmers and representatives of local groundwater agencies to postpone intervention and allow more time for improvement.

Board member Laurel Firestone emphasized that the goal is not to be punitive but to ensure the success of local communities. The probationary status is aimed at prompting stronger measures and better local control over groundwater management. The Tulare Lake basin is one of six areas in the San Joaquin Valley where local groundwater plans were deemed insufficient by the state.

Under the 2014 groundwater law, the five local groundwater agencies in the basin are required to develop a plan to reduce pumping and mitigate declines in water levels by 2040. However, the state water board's staff determined that the local plan failed to include adequate measures to address the declining water levels and the sinking ground.

The sinking of the land has already resulted in serious consequences, including the need to raise levees twice in the last decade to protect the city of Corcoran from flooding. The reappearance of the long-dry Tulare Lake on farmland further amplified the urgency of the situation.

While the decision represents the initial phase of state intervention, officials have expressed their intention to collaborate with local agencies to collect data and formulate an effective plan. The probationary status will last for one year, during which well owners will be required to report their usage. Those pumping over 500 acre-feet per year will need to install meters on their wells and pay fees to cover the state's intervention costs.

The ultimate objective is to work with the local agencies to improve their groundwater plan to avert the need for ongoing state intervention. However, if the deficiencies in their plan are not adequately addressed, the state water board could implement stricter intervention, potentially including pumping restrictions or fines for exceeding limits.

State officials have estimated that the existing local plan would perpetuate the decline of groundwater levels, putting approximately 700 domestic wells at risk of drying up. The crackdown on excessive groundwater pumping in the Tulare Lake basin signifies a crucial step toward preserving California's water resources and ensuring the sustainability of the region's agriculture and communities.