subsidence

About 3.5 feet of land subsidence has been measured since 2015 along parts of the Friant-Kern Canal.

He said continuing subsidence in the area now threatens to undermine recent repairs and investments including $83 million in state taxpayer funds.

“Without substantive action to correct subsidence, the Friant-Kern Canal — and more than 250,000 Californians and over 1 million acres of farmland — will continue to be negatively impacted at a considerable cost.”

State officials reviewed groundwater plans prepared by seven local agencies and found the plans failed to address the chronic lowering of groundwater levels, degradation of water quality, and continuing land subsidence, among other problems.

He said his agency has made progress on plans to limit pumping and address land subsidence, and is taking steps to protect drinking water wells.