Status of the RCIS
The Kaweah RCIS is now final.
The approved RCIS is viewable via the CDFW website here, or can be directly viewed via this link. The approved RCIS is a direct result of regional collaboration across a diverse set of stakeholders, who have worked together to create an effective and impactful plan to support strategic, voluntary conservation actions in the region. Now that the RCIS is final, it can be used to drive investment in on-the-ground projects that meaningfully advance conservation goals of the region. The Kaweah RCIS development process started in summer 2020; the final plan is valid for 10 years, at which point it can be renewed.
Updates
On November 2, 2022, CDFW officially approved the Kaweah RCIS.
On June 2, 2022, the Kaweah RCIS Steering Committee submitted the Draft Kaweah RCIS to the California Department of Fish & Wildlife (CDFW) for a screen-check review. A screen-check review provides an opportunity for CDFW to review the latest changes made to the RCIS.
On November 10, 2021, the Kaweah RCIS Steering Committee submitted the draft plan to the California Department of Fish & Wildlife (CDFW) for a completeness review and was available for public review and comment until January 10, 2022. CDFW received no public comments on the Kaweah RCIS.
On September 8, 2021, East Kaweah GSA submitted the RCIS to CDFW for a completeness review. The agency checked to see if the RCIS documents contained all of the necessary parts.
On July 21, 2021, East Kaweah GSA and partners held a public meeting to provide oral or written comments for consideration in the RCIS document’s development, as well as pose any clarifying questions. Approximately 20 in-person and 15 online participants attended.
Notice of Public Meeting, July 21, 2021
On February, 26, 2021, East Kaweah GSA released a Notice of Intent to prepare the Regional Conservation Investment Strategy. This public notice describes the process and proposed plan region and content.
Other Noteworthy News
On May 25, 2022, the California Department of Conservation (DOC) announced the award of $10M to the Kaweah Subbasin team, led by the Kaweah Delta Water Conservation District in partnership with the Greater, Mid-, and East Kaweah Groundwater Sustainability Agencies and Sequoia Riverlands Trust. The funding awarded will support the development of a toolbox for assessing and selecting multibenefit land repurposing activities that protect the land-based economy, manage groundwater supply, provide short- and medium-term drought relief, restore wildlife habitat, and provide direct benefits to historically underserved communities. Click here to learn more about the block grant project in the Kaweah Subbasin.
The Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program seeks to use this funding to increase regional capacity to repurpose agricultural land to reduce reliance on groundwater while providing community health, economic wellbeing, water supply, habitat, renewable energy, and climate benefits. Click here to learn more about the Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program.