NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Chad Wegley
Phone: (559) 591-0800
Email: cw@altaid.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 16, 2026
Kings River East GSA Maintains Momentum on Local Efforts under California’s Landmark Groundwater Law, Proposes Property Fee to Fund Long-Term Sustainability
DINUBA, Calif. — The Kings River East Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) is proposing a new property-related fee up to $9.93 per acre annually to sustainably manage groundwater and maintain compliance with California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). The fee would apply to most property owners within its boundary.
The Kings River East GSA is implementing SGMA on behalf of nearly 191,000 acres across eastern portions of Fresno and Tulare counties. Its service area includes agricultural lands, the cities of Dinuba, Reedley and Orange Cove, and eight communities who rely on groundwater as a critical water supply.
“Both agricultural and urban communities depend on stable groundwater supplies to support homes, jobs, food production, and the local economy,” said Chad Wegley, General Manager of the Kings River East GSA. “The proposed fee is a path forward to make sure we are equipped to meet SGMA’s requirements and ensure our community can continue to rely on this resource well into the future.”
SGMA is an unfunded State mandate, requiring local agencies to secure funding to carry out groundwater monitoring, data collection, State reporting, stakeholder engagement, and other activities necessary to demonstrate progress toward sustainability. The proposed fee would fund implementation of the Kings River East GSA’s State-approved Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP or Plan), the locally developed roadmap outlining how the area will achieve sustainable groundwater supplies by 2040.
Revenues from the previous funding source – a $1.45/acre-foot pumping charge collected from 2017 through 2020 – supported development of the GSP and early implementation efforts. But funds have been exhausted, creating the need for a dedicated funding source to continue the work.
“Developing a Plan that satisfies the State’s standards while balancing the needs within our local context was a huge win for the area,” stated Wegley. “It means local leadership stays in the driver’s seat on how we reach sustainability.”
In other groundwater basins that have failed to develop a satisfactory groundwater Plan, the State Water Resources Control Board has intervened to directly regulate pumping and collect fees from landowners.
Kings River East GSA’s Proposed Property Related Fee, $9.93/Acre Maximum
Before the Kings River East GSA can implement the proposed property-related fee, it must meet the requirements of Proposition 218, a California constitutional process for establishing certain property-related fees. This process includes completing a fee study, notifying affected property owners of the proposed fee, providing an opportunity for property owner input, and holding a public hearing before the fee can be considered for adoption.
Affected property owners within the Kings River East GSA boundary were mailed a public notice and informational materials in early June.
A copy of the Public Notice and Fee Study, including the affected property roll, are available on the GSA’s Prop 218 webpage.
The agency has scheduled a public protest hearing to consider adoption of the proposed fee on July 27, 2026, at 2:00 PM at the City of Dinuba Council Chambers, located at 405 E. El Monte, Dinuba, CA 93618.
Landowners and community members are also encouraged to attend upcoming informational workshops to learn more about the proposed fee, SGMA requirements, and the Kings River East GSA’s groundwater sustainability efforts.
Community Workshops
• Community Workshop #1
June 23, 2026, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Reedley Community Center, 100 N. East Ave, Reedley, CA 93654
• Community Workshop #2
June 24, 2026, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Dinuba Community Center, 1390 E Elizabeth Way, Dinuba, CA 93618
Grower Workshops
• Grower Workshop #1
July 8, 2026, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Kings River Union Elementary School in the Multipurpose Room, 3961 Ave 400, Kingsburg, CA 93631
• Grower Workshop #2
July 9, 2026, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Dinuba Community Center, 1390 E Elizabeth Way, Dinuba, CA 93618
For questions about the Prop 218 process, proposed fee, or how SGMA implementation may impact your property, contact the Kings River East GSA by phone at (559) 440-6235 or email prop218@kingsrivereast.org. Additional information and materials are also available at kingsrivereast.org/prop218.
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The Kings River East Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) was formed in 2017 to develop and implement a Groundwater Sustainability Plan under California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). The GSA manages approximately 191,000 acres within the Kings Subbasin across eastern Fresno and Tulare counties and is governed by a seven-member board representing local water districts, cities, counties, and unincorporated communities. The Kings Subbasin has been designated as critically overdrafted and is required to achieve groundwater sustainability by 2040.
For more information, visit www.kingsrivereast.org.
