By Jamie Martin
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has highlighted the success of its LandFlex Pilot Program, which has significantly protected groundwater and supported farmers.
The program saved more than 100,000 acre-feet of water and protected over 16,500 drinking water wells in vulnerable communities.
Launched in 2022 during extreme drought conditions, LandFlex helped six groundwater sustainability agencies (GSAs) distribute $23.3 million in funding to support small and mid-sized farms in California’s Central Valley. The goal was to stop over-pumping of groundwater while ensuring farms stayed in production.
Through this partnership, 52 farms enrolled 4,474 acres of land. In a year of rapid weather changes, from drought to floods, LandFlex redirected floodwaters to recharge groundwater and protected infrastructure near the California Aqueduct from land subsidence.
DWR Director Karla Nemeth said, “The strength of the LandFlex program lies not only in its ability to conserve water, but also in its flexibility as a climate-resilient solution for both groundwater sustainability agencies and farmers.”
The program brought participating lands into compliance with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) 15 years early. Partners such as the California Department of Food and Agriculture and Western United Dairies helped raise awareness and guide communities.
“LandFlex is smart because it puts farmers into immediate sustainability when it comes to the requirements of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act,” said Anja Raudabaugh, CEO of Western United Dairies.
For more information, visit water.ca.gov/landflex.
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Categories: National