State Water Board Accepting Comments on Small-Pumper Exemption Proposal
Published Friday, March 20, 2026
Following direction from California State Water Resources Control Board members during the Tule Subbasin probationary hearing, board staff have developed a proposal to exempt some small groundwater users in the Tulare Lake and Tule Subbasins from probationary requirements to report groundwater use and pay fees. Under the proposal, pumpers using less than 20 acre-feet of water annually would not be subject to reporting or fees.
The board estimates that in the Tulare Lake Subbasin, this would exempt approximately 44% of groundwater pumpers, who collectively account for less than 1% of total water use. In the Tule Subbasin, approximately 49% of pumpers would be exempt, representing about 1% of total water use.
The board will consider adopting these exclusions at its April 7 meeting. Comments may be submitted by March 30 at 12 p.m. to SGMA@waterboards.ca.gov with the subject line: “Comments – Minimal Impact Exclusions.”
Staff contact: Alex Beiring; abiering@cfbf.com.
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