Reminder: New SGMA Reporting Requirements for Groundwater Extractors in the Tulare Lake Subbasin
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This is a reminder email to inform you of new reporting requirements for groundwater extractors (people who pump groundwater) in the Tulare Lake Subbasin. The State Water Board mailed these extractors detailed information at the beginning of June about these requirements. Please note that the reporting requirement applies regardless of whether extractors receive notification that they are required to report.
Groundwater extractors within this subbasin are required to track their groundwater use starting July 15, 2024, and submit annual groundwater extraction reports by December 1, 2024, unless they are de minimis extractors. A de minimis extractor is a well owner who pumps two acre-feet or less of groundwater per year for domestic purposes only. Groundwater extractors in the Tulare Lake Subbasin who are required to report will need to:
- Begin tracking their groundwater extractions starting July 15, 2024, using a device or method satisfactory to the State Water Board. Extractors who pump more than 500 acre-feet per year of groundwater from the subbasin will need to install and use certified flow meters on their wells. The State Water Board may approve alternative approaches for tracking those large extractions. See the Board’s Tulare Lake Subbasin webpage for more information.
- Register active and inactive groundwater wells and, if applicable, submit a groundwater extraction report by December 1, 2024, via the Groundwater Extraction Annual Reporting System (GEARS). This report will cover monthly extractions, starting from July 15th to September 30th, 2024.
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Pay an extraction fee after submitting a groundwater extraction report. Extractors may request a fee waiver if they meet the eligibility criteria specified in California Code of Regulations, title 23, section 1044. Additional fee waiver guidance is forthcoming and will be posted on the State Water Board’s website.
Groundwater extractors in the Tulare Lake Subbasin were mailed a Notice of Groundwater Extraction Reporting letter in early June. Each notice letter contained a unique correspondence identification (ID) number, which a reporter will use to create a user account on the Groundwater Extraction Annual Reporting System (GEARS) website. A second copy of the reporting notice letter was mailed in mid-July; it is important for groundwater reporters to keep track of their unique correspondence ID listed in their notice letters. If you are required to report but did not receive a letter, please contact sgma@waterboards.ca.gov or (916) 322-6508 for a correspondence ID number.
The following resources are available to assist groundwater extractors in the Tulare Lake Subbasin with SGMA reporting requirements:
If you have questions regarding this information, please contact State Water Board staff by email at sgma@waterboards.ca.gov or by phone at (916) 322-6508.
 Map of the Tulare Lake Subbasin Boundary
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