This document captures the detailed discussions from the Punjabi American Growers Group (PAGG) meeting held on August 29, 2024, in Bakersfield, California. The meeting brought together over 300 attendees, including PAGG members, State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) staff, and representatives from local Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs). Key topics addressed the SWRCB’s concerns over water management in the Kern Basin, where 64% of water is used for agriculture, leading to a significant basin overdraft of 925,000 acre-feet.
The SWRCB staff provided updates on the ongoing Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) for the basin, which has been deemed inadequate. Growers face potential annual fees and penalties, with a probation hearing scheduled for February 2025 in Sacramento. Approximately 300,000 acres of land, including 200,000 acres of “white land” that lacks district water access, are expected to face water shortages. PAGG representatives, led by Arshdeep Singh, pressed the SWRCB for solutions, leading to a commitment to explore options in partnership with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and the Department of Water Resources (DWR). Further meetings are expected to address the ongoing challenges facing growers.
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