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.
MAGSA has worked to secure the following funding opportunities to help alleviate the costs associated with the purchase of meters and telemetry. Because EQIP and the Rebate Program are coming from federal funding sources, growers cannot receive funding from both programs. Choose the one that works best for you!
EQIP WaterSMART Funding
Stay tuned for information about the next application period.
A $1 million funding pool is available to MAGSA landowners every year through Fiscal Year 2026 under the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (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 at 4625 W Jennifer Ave #125 Fresno, CA during operating hours between 8 AM to 4:30 PM.
Meter & Telemetry Rebate Program
On April 21, 2023, MAGSA was awarded a $2.8 million grant through the Bureau of Reclamation’s WaterSMART Program to help fund the purchase and installation of electromagnetic flow meters, 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.
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.
Meters and telemetry were 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.
While landowners who did not meet the installation deadline will likely incur late penalty fees, they are still eligible for this rebate. A few rebates remain available. Click the button below or contact MAGSA for more information.