Development of a watershed plan EA for the upper kaweah watershed plan in tulare county, CA.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) awarded Tulare Irrigation District a $1.0M Cooperative Agreement on September 16, 2025, under the Soil and Water Conservation program (CFDA 10.902) to develop a comprehensive watershed plan and environmental assessment (EA) for the Upper Kaweah Watershed in Tulare County, California. The project, with a completion date of March 31, 2028, will deliver technical assistance and conservation planning strategies to support sustainable water resource management in the region. As a locally-based government entity with established expertise in water resource management, Tulare Irrigation District will leverage this funding to advance conservation practices and operational efficiency across the Central Valley's critical watershed area.

The deliverables under this Cooperative Agreement align with the Soil and Water Conservation program's core objectives of providing conservation technical assistance and supporting watershed assessment planning. The Upper Kaweah Watershed Plan and EA will serve agricultural producers, private landowners, and local governments by establishing science-based conservation strategies and resource management recommendations. This award represents a significant investment in the district's capacity to deliver professional conservation planning services and positions the organization to support long-term water sustainability initiatives across the region.