Documenter: Josef Sibala
Here’s what you need to know:
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The Statewide Airborne Electromagnetic Survey (AEM) will start in October for Tulare Lake Subbasin and White Wolf, Kern, Tule, and Kaweah. Hence, Director Gallock assumed that the Kings Subbasin would be “next in line” in the AEM surveys.
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On property tax assessments, the agency has budgeted over 99% of the property tax. The outreach services are “under budget.” The program services are “over budget” while saving for projects.
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In the 2nd week of July, the Landowner Newsletter — a two-page insert containing adopted rules and regulations, annual reports, and general updates — was sent to 1,020 landowners.
The Scene
On Sept. 16, 2016, Senate Bill 564 (Cannella) North Fork Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency Act came into effect. It formed a groundwater sustainability agency under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act for the North Fork Kings Area.
The bill requires that the newly formed Groundwater Sustainability Agency develop and implement a Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP). In addition, the bill described the board membership and established the agency’s initial boundaries.
The meeting was held on Wednesday, July 28, 2021, at 5:30 pm via Zoom.
Officials Present
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Buddy Mendez, Vice-Chair, Division 1 Director (County of Fresno)
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JoAnne Rempp, Division 3 Director (Laton Community Services District, Riverdale Public Utilities, Lanare Community Services District).
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Mark McKean, Chair, Division 4 Director (Crescent Canal Company, Stinson Canal & Irrigation Company).
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Leonard Acquistpace, Division 5 Director (Riverdale Irrigation District, Reed Ditch Company)
Official Not Present:
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Frank Zonneveld, Division 2 Director (Clark’s Fork Reclamation District, Laguna Irrigation District, Upper San Jose Water Company).
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Stephen Maddox, Jr., Secretary-Treasurer, Division 6 Director (Liberty Mill Race District, Burrel Ditch Company).
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Tony Campos, Division 7 Director (Liberty Water District, Liberty Canal Company).
Others Present:
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Cristel Tufenkjian, Director of External Affairs at Kings River Conservation District (KRCD)
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Charlotte Gallock, Director of Water Resources at Kings River Conservation District (KRCD)
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Brian H. Trevarrow, Deputy General Manager and Chief Financial Officer at Kings River Conservation District (KRCD)
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Rebecca Quist, External Affairs Program Specialist at Kings River Conservation District (KRCD)
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Corey A. McLaughlin, Executive Assistant at Kings River Conservation District (KRCD)
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Ashley Goldsmith, External Affairs Coordinator at Kings River Conservation District
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Amanda Monaco, Policy Coordinator at the Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability
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Kevin Johansen, Provost & Pritchard
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Antonio Solorio, Westlands Water District
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Sean Smith, Provost & Pritchard, Senior Engineer
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James Petty
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Angela Islas
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Scott
Discussions/Actions
The board approved (4-0) the items as follows:
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June 23, 2021 Board Meeting minutes
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Audit Engagement Letter for the audit of the Fiscal Year 2020-2021
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Application of Frank Pitts for appointment to the Rural Community Advisory Committee
Then, the Director of Water Resources at Kings River Conservation District, Charlotte Gallock, said the Department of Water Resources (DWR) approved the Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSPs) of the Santa Cruz Mid-County and the 180/400 Foot Aquifer Subbasin.
The DWR had consultations with Paso Robles and Kaweah Subbasins to discuss any deficiencies within their plans. She anticipates the approval of the GSP of North Fork Kings GSA.
The Statewide Airborne Electromagnetic Survey (AEM) will start in October for Tulare Lake Subbasin and White Wolf, Kern, Tule, and Kaweah. The survey is moving from the “south point” of the Central Valley and heading north.
Hence, Director Gallock assumed that the Kings Subbasin would be “next in line” in the AEM surveys.
The South Fork Kings GSA conducts a pilot study for the aquifer storage and recovery program, which received grant funding. She noted the video of the program would be valuable for growers.
Deputy General Manager and Chief Financial Officer at Kings River Conservation District Brian H. Trevarrow mentioned that the agency has $3,024,000 in the bank as of June 30, 2021.
He remarked the grant receivable coming from Proposition #1 and #61 grants. The expenditures and revenues are “nicely below budget.”
On property tax assessments, the agency has budgeted over 99% of the property tax. The outreach services are “under budget.” The program services are “over budget” while saving for projects.
External Affairs Coordinator at Kings River Conservation District Ashley Goldsmith mentioned that 304 contacts were in the interested person email list as of July 26, 2021.
In the 2nd week of July, the Landowner Newsletter — a 2-page insert containing adopted rules and regulations, annual reports, and general updates — was sent to 1,020 landowners.
The North Fork Kings GSA average website views are 300-400 views per month. As a result of the Landowner Newsletter, the views “skyrocketed” to 1,003.
Next, Kevin Johansen of Provost & Pritchard stated that the Technical Support Services (TSS) monitor will start tomorrow. The agency is working with DWR in building a shallow well while taking advantage of grants by building “deeper” wells.
The agency receives crop information from LandIQ twice a year and thinks of distributing them to landowners.
LandIQ has hired UC extension advisors to “quality control” their work.
The meeting ended at 7:30 pm. The next meeting will be on Wednesday, August 18, 2021, at 5:30 pm on Zoom.
If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at Documenters-admin@thefresnoland.com with “Correction Request” in the subject line.