Agenda Item Wording:
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Approve agreements for the 2026–2027 Land Fallowing Program – Authorize the City Manager to sign the Greater Kaweah Groundwater Sustainability Agency 2026–2027 Land Fallowing Program contracts for a combined 138.91 field acres in the total amount of $55,564 to be paid to the City of Visalia.
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Agenda Date: 09/08/2026
Prepared by:
Rehana Lustyan, Senior Project Manager — rehana.lustyan@visalia.gov, (559) 7134176
Nick Bartsch, Public Works Director — nick.bartsch@visalia.gov, (559) 7134428
Department Recommendation: Staff recommends that the Council authorize the City Manager to sign the Greater Kaweah Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GKGSA) 2026–2027 Land Fallowing Program contracts for a combined 138.91 field acres, related to APNs: 073110036, 073110049, 073110051, 073110068, and 103100052, in the total amount of $55,564 to be paid to the City of Visalia.
Summary:
The Greater Kaweah Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GKGSA) has approved the City of Visalia’s 2026–2027 Land Fallowing Program application for 138.91 field acres across five City-owned parcels. The program supports regional groundwater sustainability objectives, advances compliance with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), and reduces overall groundwater extraction by compensating landowners who temporarily fallow qualifying acreage. The City will receive a fixed payment of $400 per acre, totaling $55,564, following successful verification of fallowing for the 2026–2027 program year.
Background Discussion:
Based on prior direction issued by the City Council in December 2023 to cease walnut farming operations on approximately 138.91 acres north of the Water Reclamation Facility (WRF), the City has continued participating in the Greater Kaweah Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GKGSA) Land Fallowing Program. This direction included removing the walnut orchard and evaluating longterm land use strategies compatible with Wastewater Treatment Plant ...
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