State awards LandFlex grants to improve groundwater sustainability

Moving to help preserve groundwater supplies for Central Valley communities, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) has awarded nearly $17 million to three groundwater sustainability agencies (GSAs) through the LandFlex Program. The awarded funding will be available to local growers to transition to sustainable groundwater use and protect drinking water supplies for vulnerable communities. 

LandFlex was launched earlier this year with a total of $25 million in grants awarded to GSAs to work directly with interested growers to temporarily idle agricultural lands to provide immediate benefits for vulnerable domestic wells. The funding also can be used to help permanently eliminate groundwater overpumping on each enrolled acre of land. GSAs that received grant awards earlier this year were unable to utilize all the funding, so DWR is now awarding a second phase of grants with the unused funds.  

Grants were awarded to these three agencies: 

• Lower Tule River Irrigation District Groundwater Sustainability Agency – $7.7 million 
• Pixley Irrigation District Groundwater Sustainability Agency – $5 million
• Westside Water District Groundwater Sustainability Agency – $4 million 

“As California continues its efforts to adapt to a changing climate and prepare for a hotter, drier future, programs like LandFlex will help small farms and disadvantaged communities that are vulnerable to drought and dependent on groundwater supplies become more resilient,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. 

LandFlex incentivizes growers to permanently reduce pressure on aquifers and transition to sustainable farming practices by providing grant funding for the following actions:

• Provide Immediate Drought Relief by Fallowing Land
• Overdraft/Sustainability Payment
• Transition to More Climate-Resilient Ag Practices

“We’d like to extend our sincere congratulations to the 8 farms awarded LandFlex grants and appreciation to DWR for providing these funds,” said Allison Febbo, General Manager, Westlands Water District. “Forty-five eligible farmers in Westlands submitted applications for LandFlex grant funding – underscoring the importance of investment in programs that support our farmers’ commitment to improving our region’s climate resilience by implementing practices that promote a sustainable groundwater supply.”