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Stakeholders press GSA over GEARS access and slow progress; board hires subbasin point of contact
Summary
Stakeholders told the Mid Kings River GSA they are frustrated with slow progress and problems accessing the GEARS portal; the board voted to hire Stacy Ann Silva as a single Tulare Lake Subbasin point of contact on a $120,000 annual contract (Mid Kings share $22,980).
Members of the community and the stakeholder advisory committee told the Mid Kings River GSA on June 9 they are frustrated with slow progress toward groundwater sustainability and difficulties using the GEARS portal, and board members approved hiring a subbasin point of contact to coordinate with state staff.
During unscheduled public comment, Victor Chaverin Jr., from the office of state Sen. Melissa Hurtado, said constituents at a Kings County Farm Bureau meeting reported the GEARS website is "being a failure" and hard to use; he asked the board to forward constituent complaints to the Senator’s office so the State Water Resources Control Board understands the access issues.
Stakeholder committee representative Chip Mello told the board the committee is running out of patience after nearly two years of work and urged more decisive action, including meeting jointly with the Kings County Water District or exploring a joint powers agreement. "We wanna move forward with this...the clock is ticking," Mello said. Multiple directors acknowledged frustration and emphasized they want to preserve locally developed policy work while still advancing the path to compliance.
Staff recommended hiring Stacy Ann Silva as a single point of contact to represent the Tulare Lake Subbasin with state staff. Silva described more than eight years of experience in SGMA work, said she would dedicate roughly 40–60 hours per month and that she would disclose any conflicts of interest. The proposed contract is $120,000 per year, with Mid Kings River GSA’s 19.084% share equal to $22,980 annually; the board approved the contract.
Outreach and user support: Staff also reported the GSA’s new website and logo are live, and that the Watermark well-registration system has captured registration for "a little bit over 50" of parcels; the GSA plans targeted mailers (owners of parcels under 5 acres), Spanish-language workshops (June 17) and in‑person office hours to help domestic well owners complete registrations ahead of groundwater allocations that will become effective Oct. 1.
What happens next: Silva will work with GSA managers and other GSAs to streamline communications with the State Water Resources Control Board, and staff will continue outreach and training for Watermark and the allocation-tracking process.
