Policy Archives - SJV Water

Policy

Slew of water bills swirl around Sacramento

May 31, 2023

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water

Senior water rights holders have arguably the sweetest deal in California water. They often have ironclad deals and some even get access to substantial water during the worst of drought. But three new bills in the state legislature are taking aim at senior water rights in an attempt to level the playing field. The bills…

Development • Policy

Debacle in the hills: How Fresno County officials ignored water warnings and why taxpayers are paying the price

February 6, 2023

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water and Gregory Weaver, Fresnoland

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article was a collaboration between SJV Water and Fresnoland, a nonprofit news site that covers public policy in Fresno. Thirty years ago, residents told local officials that a boutique subdivision near Friant…

Policy

Kern Groundwater Authority responds to newly-adopted racial equity plan

December 15, 2022

• by Rose Horowitch, SJV Water reporting intern

The Kern Groundwater Authority discussed the anticipated effects of a new state-level racial equity plan at its December 14 board of directors meeting, specifically considering ways to minimize any potential impacts on its operations. On December 8, the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board adopted a racial equity resolution with proposed goals and guidelines…

Personalities • Policy

“Change” candidates sweep Westlands Water District board election; may dump longtime General Manager Tom Birmingham

November 15, 2022

• by Jesse Vad and Lois Henry, SJV Water

The math was not in Tom Birmingham’s favor. It was clear weeks before the Nov. 8 election that the board of the massive Westlands Water District in western Fresno County would be changing. And that change would likely result in the controversial General Manager’s ouster. There were four board seats up for election. A preliminary…

Policy

Tiny, rural Allensworth takes on climate change with help from state grant

November 8, 2022

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water

The fight against climate change is coming to the small town of Allensworth in Tulare County. The state awarded $300,000 to the Allensworth Progressive Association, a local nonprofit, to “implement neighborhood-level projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve public health and the environment and expand economic opportunity for residents,” according to a press release from…

Drought • Policy • SGMA

VIDEO: Frustrated San Joaquin Valley farmers take grievances to Sacramento

October 27, 2022

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water

A group of farmers, mostly from Madera, protested on the steps of the capitol in Sacramento against what they feel has been extreme mismanagement of the state’s water resources. The protest comes as groundwater managers in the Madera subbasin are wrestling with how to adhere to a state mandate to bring its aquifer back into…

Policy

Speaker: Government control creeping ever further into water rights

September 27, 2022

• by Lois Henry

In a fast-paced trip through the evolution of California’s water rights, attorney Valerie Kincaid explained how the system has gone from the “wild, wild west” to one pervaded by ever greater government creep. By expanding its authorities under what had been thought of as several limited court decisions, state government is now essentially dictating operations…

Personalities • Policy

Not so new “newcomer” vies for seat on powerful Kern water board

August 19, 2022

• by Lois Henry

The usually sleepy race for the Kern County Water Agency board of directors perked up this month after a challenger filed papers to run for the Division 4 seat. Division 4 Incumbent Director Philip Cerro will face challenger Eric Averett in the November 8 election. Cerro, a longtime area farmer, has served on the board…

Policy

PANEL: Valley pols to give water update

July 7, 2022

• by Lois Henry

The Water Association of Kern County is hosting a water legislation update panel discussion and luncheon July 26 at 11:30 a.m. in the Renegade Room at Bakersfield College. State Senators Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger) and Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield) along with Assemblyman Vince Fong (R-Bakersfield) will discuss a number of bills and statewide initiatives impacting water issues…