Agenda Item Wording:
title
Authorization to apply for Kaweah Subbasin Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program - Authorize the City to apply to the Kaweah Subbasin Multibenefit Repurposing Program for up to $100,000 for a planning grant to assist the transition of irrigated agricultural land at the Visalia Municipal Airport to less water-intensive use(s).
body
Agenda Date: 06/15/2026
Prepared by: John Lollis, Assistant City Manager, John.Lollis@visalia.gov, 713-4323
Department Recommendation:
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the application to the Kaweah Subbasin Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program for up to $100,000 for a planning grant to assist the transition of irrigated agricultural land at the Visalia Municipal Airport to less water-intensive use(s).
Summary:
Staff is seeking grant opportunities to fund the necessary planning to transition the approximate 233-acres of irrigated agricultural land currently under lease at the Visalia Municipal Airport for the development of a solar microgrid for energy generation and storage to support infrastructure and economic development activities at the Airport.
Background Discussion:
Many Central Valley communities are navigating groundwater changes driven by droughts and imbalanced water supplies. The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) establishes a deadline to transition to sustainable groundwater use by 2040 in critically overdraft subbasins in California, such as the Kaweah Subbasin. It is estimated that up to 1,000,000-acres of irrigated agricultural land in the Central Valley may need to be fallowed, retired or repurposed to balance groundwater supplies.
To support beneficial alternatives, the California Department of Conservation (DoC) established the Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program (MLRP) to incentivize multibenefit land repurposing that takes a strategic regional approach and provides benefits to both the environment and surrounding communities.
Multibenefit land repurposing is the act of transitioning irrigated agricultural land to other uses that consume less water and provide additional benefits to ecosystems and surrounding communities. Alternative land uses may include but are not limited to: the installation of groundwater recharge basins, restoration of lands to native habitat, transition to dryland farming or non-irrigated rangeland, renewable energy projects, reestablishment of Tribal land uses, and the creation of parks.
The Kaweah Delta Water Conservation District and its regional partners received a $10 million block grant to support land repurposing in the Kaweah Subbasin from the MLRP for five (5) years (2022-2027). The Kaweah Subbasin MLRP is committed to the selection and implementation of multibenefit projects that aim to reduce reliance on groundwater while supporting a viable agricultural economy and improving community economies and environmental health outcomes.
A project solicitation for Development Funding was open from March 14, 2025 to August 31, 2025, and reopened on April 24, 2026 until June 26, 2026. The Kaweah Subbasin MLRP reopened the solicitation to enroll more projects with clear groundwater recharge or groundwater sustainability benefits. Applications must develop projects that provide groundwater benefits by converting irrigated agricultural land to less water-intensive uses(s) and may provide additional benefits to community health, economic well-being, and wildlife habitat. Applications that design projects with measurable water savings and/or groundwater recharge elements will be prioritized. Up to $200,000 per project is available for the finalization of project designs, plans, and permits that would result in a fully-planned and permitted project by September 30, 2027, which could later be implementable through additional funding sources.
With an approximate 233-acres of irrigated agricultural land within the fenceline at the Airport currently under a year-to-year lease, City staff is beginning the necessary planning for the proposed transition from irrigated agricultural land to the development of a solar microgrid for energy generation and storage to support infrastructure and economic development activities at the Airport, which renewable energy projects are eligible alternative land uses under the MLRP.
Fiscal Impact including annual maintenance and operating costs:
The proposed FY 2026-27 Capital Improvement Project Budget includes an Alternative Energy Assessment & Feasibility Study at the City’s Water Recycling Facility (WRF) and Visalia Airport with an estimated cost of $420,000, of which the WRF is proposed to fund $336,000 and the Airport fund $84,000. The successful selection for this grant funding opportunity would offset the Airport’s financial contribution to the Study.
Prior Council Action: None
Alternatives:
The Council could elect not to authorize the application be submitted to this grant funding opportunity.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to authorize the application to the Kaweah Subbasin Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program for up to $100,000 for a planning grant to assist the transition of irrigated agricultural land at the Visalia Municipal Airport to less water-intensive use(s).
Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Deadline for Action: 06/15/2026
Attachments:
1. Kaweah Subbasin MLRP Funding Announcement
2. Kaweah Subbasin Map
Strategic Goal: Indicates which City Strategic Goal(s) this item supports. Check all that apply.
|
☒ Economic Vitality |
☒  Organizational Excellence |
☒ Fiscal Strength |
☒  Infrastructure & Growth |
☐  Quality of Life |