Westlands Water District

Fresno, CA

Westside Subbasin Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program

Westside Subbasin MLRP Project Concept Flyer in English
Spanish

Background

The Westlands Water District (District) Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) has been awarded approximately $8.9 million through the California Department of Conservation’s (DOC) Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program (MLRP). This funding will support the District GSA, along with the Westside Subbasin (Westside) MLRP Partners, Collaborators, and Consultants, in developing a regional MLRP, create a Multibenefit Agricultural Land Repurposing Plan (MALRP) for the Westside Subbasin, and the implementation of projects that align with the MALRP’s goals and objectives.

Westside MLRP Partners include:

Westside MLRP Collaborators include, but are not limited to:

  • Fresno County GSA
  • City of Huron
  • City of Avenal
  • City of Firebaugh
  • UA Local 246

The Westside MLRP is guided by a Steering Committee, which advises the District GSA Board of Directors on decision-making for the program. An Outreach Advisory Committee also supports the effort by ensuring effective community engagement and outreach throughout the process.

The resulting MALRP will complement the Westside Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP). It will provide the framework to identify and prioritize strategic land repurposing options to reduce groundwater dependence while delivering regionally appropriate multibenefit outcomes, including improvements in community health, economic vitality, water supply reliability, flood resilience, habitat restoration, renewable energy, and climate adaptation.

How Can You Participate in the Westside MLRP?

You are invited to get involved by attending Steering and Outreach Advisory Committee meetings. The schedule for upcoming meetings is available on the District’s calendar.

Westside Multibenefit Agricultural Land Repurposing Plan (MALRP)

The public review and comment period for the Administrative Draft of the Westside MALRP closed on Friday, September 12, 2025.

The Administrative Draft of the Westside MALRP is available at the link below:
Administrative Draft of the Westside MALRP

Comments were requested by Thursday, September 11, 2025, and could be submitted by:

  • Email: westlandsmlrp@wwd.ca.gov
  • By Mail or In-Person Delivery:
    Westlands Water District
    Attn: Resources – MLRP
    286 W Cromwell Avenue
    Fresno, CA 93711

The District GSA sincerely appreciates the time and effort of all stakeholders who reviewed the Administrative Draft of the Westside MALRP and submitted comments. All feedback received will be carefully reviewed and, where appropriate, incorporated into the document. Comments received after September 12, 2025, will also be taken into consideration.

The District GSA anticipates completing the Final MALRP and presenting it to the District GSA Board of Directors at the Regular December Board Meeting.

What Is the Westside MLRP Project Process?

The Westside MLRP Project Process is now underway and will continue on a rolling basis until all available funds have been allocated. Project Concept Forms may be submitted at any time. However, full Project Proposal Applications submitted by December 1, 2025, will be given priority consideration.

Once current DOC MLRP funding is fully committed, eligible projects may remain on the Westside MLRP Project List for potential consideration as future funding becomes available. At this time, all projects must be fully implemented by December 31, 2026.

What is the Westside Subbasin MLRP Project Process?

Step 1: Project Eligibility Screening

Does the Project answer “yes” to all FIVE Questions below? If yes, please contact the Westside MLRP Manager at westlandsmlrp@wwd.ca.gov or 559-241-6228 to request a Project Concept Form.

Question 1: Is the project located within the Westside Subbasin?

  • Refer to Figure 1: DAC and SDAC Communities within the Westside Subbasin for boundary details.

Question 2: Does the project align with eligible project types under the DOC’s MLRP?

Eligible project types include:

  • Groundwater recharge
  • Renewable energy
  • Farming without irrigation
  • Land dedicated for public use
  • Land purchase by the District
  • Transition to less water intensive crops
  • Habitat
  • Floodplain management
  • Creation of parks or community recreation areas
  • Cultural or traditional uses by Native Tribes

Question 3: Is the project consistent with the Westside Subbasin GSP objective?

  • The Westside Subbasin GSP’s objective is to reduce potential socioeconomic impacts while improving groundwater conditions and avoid undesirable results typically associated with the lack of sustainable management and groundwater overdraft.

Question 4: Will the project result in at least one of the following benefits?

  • Groundwater sustainability
  • Public health improvements
  • Economic development or wellbeing
  • Habitat enhancement
  • Flood management
  • Renewable energy generation
  • Climate resilience

Question 5: Will these benefits serve a Disadvantaged Community (DAC) or Severely Disadvantaged Community (SDAC) for a minimum of 10 years?

  • Refer to Figure 1: DAC and SDAC Communities within the Westside Subbasin for DAC/SDAC locations.
Figure 1: DAC and SDAC Communities within the Westside Subbasin for DAC/SDAC locations.

Figure 1: DAC and SDAC Communities within the Westside Subbasin

Step 2: Complete & Submit the Project Concept Form to the District GSA

Submitted Project Concept Forms will be reviewed by the Westside MLRP Manager and listed as “Step 2” on the Westside MLRP Project List.

The District GSA will notify landowners within the Westside Subbasin each month to review the Westside MLRP Project List for potential opportunities.

Step 3: Project Proposal Development

Eligible Project Concept Forms with a willing Westside Subbasin landowner will proceed to the Project Proposal Application phase for further development.

Step 4: Project Selection Process

Completed Project Proposal Application(s) will be scored by the Steering Committee.

Top-scoring projects will be considered for advancement, and the Westside MLRP Manager will collaborate with project applicants to prepare a Project Implementation Review Packet for projects that will be submitted to DOC for funding.

Step 5: Project Review and Approval

DOC will review submitted Project Implementation Review Packets for approval.

Once approved by DOC, the Westside MLRP Manager and staff will present the project to the District GSA Board of Directors for final approval.

Step 6: Contracting

Approved projects will move forward into the contracting phase with the District GSA.

Westside MLRP Project List

Westside MLRP Project List.

Westside Subbasin MLRP Project List.