Public commenters press Authority to act on fallowing program, minutes and outreach

During public comment Judy Decker, president of the Eastern Kern County Resource Conservation District, urged the Groundwater Authority to advance the transient-pool fallowing program previously included in the Groundwater Sustainability Plan and to work with partners to pursue grant funding and program design. “Long ago when you all put together your groundwater sustainability plan and you offer to farmers the transient pool fallowing program ... there is nothing in that document nor has anything come forward since that time about a fallowing program,” Decker said, asking staff to follow up and noting her organization can help identify grant opportunities.

Decker also criticized the brevity of meeting minutes and asked that earlier direction on the Authority’s planned Facebook page — that it be one-way communication — be recorded more fully so future boards understand the approved approach. A board member said staff will follow up and monitor how the Facebook page is operated.

Later Decker raised concerns about consolidation of small systems into district supply, saying that moving many small 'straws' to a few large pumps could change basin impacts and asked whether consolidation funds could be used to help small districts. She also asked officials to address pipeline scour and flood risk after recent heavy rains; staff said designers will incorporate scour analysis and coordinate with Kern County Roads data to evaluate impacts.

Joshua Nugent of Mojave Pistachios briefly offered thanks to the board for completing a transient-pool transfer.

The board acknowledged the comments and directed staff to follow up on the fallowing program and to provide additional information about outreach and minute-taking.