Groundwater management in California is under scrutiny as the state grapples with its reliance on this vital resource, particularly during drought conditions. In a recent government meeting, officials highlighted that 80% of Californians depend on groundwater for part of their water supply, which constitutes 38% of the state's water during average years and rises to 60% during droughts.

The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), enacted in 2014 amid severe drought, mandates local management of groundwater resources. Each basin is required to develop its own sustainability plans, especially those classified as critically overdrafted, such as the Kern County subbasin in the southern Central Valley. This area, which includes the city of Bakersfield, is currently managed by 20 groundwater sustainability agencies (GSAs).

Despite efforts to create groundwater sustainability plans (GSPs), the Department of Water Resources deemed the original submissions incomplete in 2020. Revised plans submitted in August 2022 were also found inadequate in March 2023, prompting recommendations for state intervention. In response, Kern County agencies submitted new draft plans to the state water board in late May 2023, which will be discussed in future meetings.

The meeting also touched on unique aspects of the Kern County subbasin, including extensive groundwater banking operations and oil and gas activities, which complicate the management of this critical resource. As California continues to face fluctuating climate conditions, the effectiveness of local management strategies will be crucial in ensuring sustainable groundwater use for the future.