06/05/2026
East Kaweah GSA Vice Chair Craig Hornung recently participated in a panel discussion at the Resources Association's Faces of SGMA Implementation Summit, which explored the human and economic impacts of SGMA implementation on local communities, agriculture, and groundwater management. Craig shared his commitment to the sustainability of agriculture with attendees from across California. He brought to the table his perspective on how growers like himself are adapting to SGMA’s policies on the ground, and the importance of preserving agriculture because of its role in supporting the social fabric of valley communities.
A key takeaway from the discussion was that successful SGMA implementation depends on earning and maintaining stakeholder trust through the SGMA implementation process, as it can be hard to restore. The East Kaweah GSA is committed to maintaining trust with its landowners through continued transparency, collaboration, and practical solutions.
The conversations at the Summit also highlighted the importance of GSA-led projects that can be achieved through strong partnerships and programs such as the Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program (MLRP). The GSA's Flying Dragon Multi-Benefit Groundwater Recharge Project was discussed as an example of how collaborative efforts can advance groundwater sustainability while providing multiple benefits to the region.
Learn more about the Flying Dragon Project: https://ekgsa.org/flying-dragon-multi-benefit-groundwater-recharge-project/
More friends from the Kaweah were represented on the panels: our partner in domestic well mitigation, McVay with -Help Enterprises, our Subbasin neighbor Fukuda with Mid-Kaweah GSA and Tulare ID, and Chair of the SGMA Summit Bullis.
