Madera GSA advances domestic-well mitigation rules, asks staff to refine resale and eligibility protections

The Madera Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Agency on Nov. 18 moved forward with draft rules for a domestic well mitigation program designed to help landowners whose domestic wells go dry because of groundwater decline or subsidence.

The board reviewed staff recommendations that would make a landowner with a domestic well within the Madera Subbasin eligible for a one-time mitigation payment of up to $35,000. Staff said the benefit may be used to repair or deepen an existing well or to connect a household to an adjacent public water system that agrees to accept the connection. For amounts above $35,000, the landowner would be responsible for contracting and paying the balance. The program would require an inspection by a qualified well professional to confirm the well failed as a result of declining groundwater levels or casing collapse rather than a mechanical, electrical or pump problem.

"These rules are simple. You must be a landowner," said Stephanie Agneson, director of Water and Natural Resources, summarizing staff's draft eligibility and application process and noting the two-page application modelled on Chowchilla's program.

Staff related outreach to local water districts, nitrate management zones, self-help organizations, Grower groups and community focus groups. Outreach feedback included requests to keep the application simple, to conduct direct outreach to well drillers, to add some well-deepening options and to make the program accessible to older residents and non-English speakers. Self-help's prior experience introduced a separate question: whether program recipients who sell their property within a short time should refund some or all of the mitigation costs.

Grower and community speakers urged safeguards. "We recommend an eligibility date of 2020," said Noah Lopez of the Madera Ag Water Association, urging the board to avoid funding wells that went dry long before groundwater-subbasin implementation. Mark Peters, representing growers, said growers accept mitigation requirements but want clarity on who qualifies.

Board members debated options including a sliding-scale reimbursement if a property is sold shortly after mitigation (examples discussed ranged from full reimbursement if sold within 1 year to partial reimbursement on a graduated schedule over 2–3 years) and limiting eligibility to wells that went dry after a date to be specified in the rules. Directors also asked for reporting features, such as a public dashboard and quarterly reports, to promote transparency and guard against abuse.

Directors approved a staff-signed letter to the State Department of Water Resources summarizing coordination among the seven GSAs in the Madera Subbasin and confirming intent to achieve full geographic coverage for mitigation. The board also approved a separate program-management contract with David's Engineering, Inc., to operate as the program manager and administer intake, technical assessments and contractor coordination; that contract was approved by roll call (vote 5–0).

Staff said the board should expect a return to the board with refined program rules and specific language on resale reimbursement, the proposed eligibility date(s), accessibility measures for non-English and elderly applicants, and the final program application so the program can begin in January 2026.

The board did not finalize the technical question of remote sensing for agricultural measurement at this meeting and asked staff to return with additional cost comparisons and information from one vendor before deciding.