Executive Order N-7-22: GSA Approval of Well Drilling Permit Request Process

In March 2022, Governor Newsom issued Executive Order N-7-22. This Executive Order prohibits Kern County from approving a permit for a new groundwater well or alternations to an existing well without receiving written verification from Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) with jurisdiction over the property where the well is proposed.

If you are drilling a new groundwater well or altering an existing well (i.e. deepening a well) within the boundary of Westside District Water Authority (WDWA) GSA and you require the GSA to sign-off on the permit request, please complete this form and submit to regulatory@westsidewa.org. After submitting WDWA GSA’s well permit request form, WDWA GSA staff will review and either approve the application, deny the application, or contact the requesting party for additional information.

Under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), WDWA GSA has the authority to deny well permit requests if either of the following conditions occur: (1) the proposed well would reduce the GSA from achieving sustainability as defined in their Groundwater Sustainability Plans or (2) the proposed well will interfere with existing nearby wells and cause subsidence that would damage nearby infrastructure. If your well permit application is denied by WDWA GSA staff for either of the above conditions, the well permit request will be placed on the agenda for the next regularly scheduled WDWA GSA Board of Directors meeting for review, at which time the requesting party may petition the Board of Directors to approve the well permit request.