Funding Opportunities for MAGSA Growers
MAGSA is determined to implement the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) with a landowner-first approach, minimizing the out-of-pocket costs associated with implementing tools for groundwater management such as meters and telemetry. Meters and telemetry are required to be outfitted by January 31, 2025 on all wells in MAGSA’s boundaries designed to produce more than 2 acre feet of water annually.
MAGSA has worked to secure the following funding opportunities to help alleviate the costs associated with the purchase of meters and telemetry:
EQIP WaterSMART Funding
CURRENT APPLICATION PERIOD ENDED ON NOVEMBER 3, 2023
A $1 million funding pool is available to MAGSA landowners every year through Fiscal Year 2026 under the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Serviceās (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) WaterSMART Initiative. This funding pool is set aside for MAGSA landowners to provide financial assistance for approved conservation practices on their farms. To be eligible, an applicant must own or lease and manage their land, and have an average gross income of $900,000 or less.
MAGSA recommends landowners include meters and telemetry in your application in addition to anything else you apply for! The more conservation practices you can address in your application, the better.
Need help with your EQIP application? MAGSA has created an Application Guide to support landowners through the EQIP application process.
Growers can drop off their applications at the NRCS Fresno Field office atĀ 4625 W Jennifer Ave #125 Fresno, CA during operating hours between 8 AM to 4:30 PM.
Meter & Telemetry Rebate Program
PROGRAM LAUNCH COMING SOON*
On April 21, 2023, MAGSA was awarded a $2.8 million grant through the Bureau of Reclamationās WaterSMART Program to help fund the purchase and installation of electromagnetic flow meters with telemetry for 925 groundwater wells, along with six weather stations in the region.
This grant has led to the creation of MAGSA’s Meter and Telemetry Rebate Program for growers who registered their wells with MAGASA.
If you have not yet registered your well, please do so as soon as possible! Having adequate well registration data equips MAGSA to fulfill its sustainability goals under SGMA.
MAGSAās Implementing Rules and Regulations require meters to be outfitted by January 31, 2025 on all wells designed to produce more than 2 acre feet of water annually located within MAGSAās boundaries.Ā The Meter and Telemetry Rebate Program is designed to alleviate landowner costs associated with MAGSAās meter requirement.
The Meter and Telemetry Rebate Program will cover about 40% of the costs associated with purchasing and installing meters, telemetry, and a year of monitoring services.Ā
To further alleviate the burden of cost for landowners, MAGSA staff has negotiated a āMAGSA discountā for landowners with irrigation dealers in the area. MAGSA has also contracted with SGMA Water Analytics (SWA) for installation of the telemetry system and groundwater monitoring services.
To receive MAGAās rebate for the installation of a meter and telemetry system, growers will need to provide documentation to MAGSA in the form of paid invoices.
MAGSA growers will receive further details on the Meter and Telemetry Rebate program soon. Stay tuned!
*Please note, rebate is not available on any installation of meters until contract is signed by MAGSA with the Bureau of Reclamation. Growers, please refrain from additional meter installations prior to receiving program details from MAGSA. Regular updates will be posted here.