The Department of Water Resources (DWR) developed the LandFlex Grant Program (LandFlex) to provide immediate drought relief to drinking water wells in drought-stricken communities and limit unsustainable groundwater pumping in critically overdrafted (COD) basins. Limiting overdraft groundwater pumping means more water left in the ground and available for drinking water wells in California’s most vulnerable communities.
LandFlex was authorized by the Legislature pursuant to the Budget Act of 2021 (Stats. 2022, ch. 44, § 25) and its Trailer Bill, (Wat. Code, § 13198 et seq.).
The 2023 pilot of LandFlex demonstrated the program’s versatility with measurable results a practical tool for real-time flood control and the protection of communities and properties, developing long-term groundwater recharge capability and capturing groundwater overdraft for immediate Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) compliance.
Application Portal
The LandFlex Application Portal is closed. Please check back for more information or sign up for our newsletter below.
Program Information
DWR completed a public comment period from December 9 through December 29 for the Draft Guidelines for the LandFlex program.
| Milestone or Activity | Tentative Schedule |
|---|---|
| Draft Guidelines Posted & Public Comment Period Begins | December 9, 2022 |
| Public Comment Period Closes | December 29, 2022 |
| Grant Solicitation Begins | January 17, 2023 |
| Applicant Workshop (Eligible GSAs) | January 19, 2023 |
| Grant Solicitation Closes | February 3, 2023 |
| Final Awards Announced | Late February 2023 |
The LandFlex grant solicitation was open to eligible GSAs for a period of 14-business days, January 17 through February 3, 2023. There were three key eligibility requirements for the program; the GSA must be located within a critically overdrafted basin, the GSA adopted and is actively implementing an allocation plan that identifies a quantified volume of overdraft as of Water Year (WY) 2022, and the GSA must have a measurable accounting method (i.e., evapotranspiration or well metering) for WY 2022 and 2023.
DWR reviewed seven eligible GSA applications and selected the top three highest-ranking GSAs, per LandFlex Guidelines. Commensurate with the scoring criteria, these GSAs demonstrated the greatest need and readiness to meet the goals and objectives of the LandFlex Program. The selected GSAs and recommended funding amounts are as follows:
- Madera County GSA – $9.3 million
- Greater Kaweah GSA – $7.0 million
- Eastern Tule GSA – $7.0 million
Growers interested in LandFlex within these three GSAs can reach out to them directly or one of DWR’s partners for questions.
Contact TAPs
Aubrey Bettencourt
121 W. Main Street, Suite E
Turlock, CA 95380
Office: (209) 300-7140
[email protected]
Paul Towers
California Alliance with Family Farmers
PO Box 363
Davis, CA 95617
530-756-8518
[email protected]
Eddie Ocampo
Self Help Enterprises
8445 W. Elowin Court
Visalia, CA 93290
Office: 559-802-1683
[email protected]
Anja Raudabaugh
Western United Dairies
1145 Geer Road, STE D
Turlock, CA 95380
Office: (209) 527-6453
[email protected]
Allison Tristao
[email protected]
Kyle Lutz
[email protected]
