MEETING NOTES: Desert groundwater authority wins appeal on pumping fees; and South Kern water district declares official shortage
* “Meeting Notes” is a new feature focused on Kern County water districts, funded through a grant from the James B. McClatchy Foundation. Please consider supporting SJV Water to continue this important coverage.
Meeting: Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority board of directors
Date: Feb. 14, 2024
Agenda and Packet: CLICK HERE
Major topics: Court rules against Mojave Pistachios LLC; imported water project
Lawsuit: Mojave Pistachios LLC had sued Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority for $250 million in damages after the authority imposed a “replenishing fee” for some pumpers in the district. An Orange County Superior Court ruled against Mojave Pistachios, which then appealed to the Fourth District.
The authority’s legal counsel reported that the appeals court had also ruled against Mojave Pistachios and that the company now owes $30 million in back fees for the replenishment fee charged by the authority.
Legal counsel noted that Mojave Pistachios may try to take the case to the California State Supreme Court but that the current ruling by the appellate court is very solid. The Supreme Court may take up the case, however, due to its implications for the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA).
Pipeline project: Steve Johnson from Stetson engineers reported that his team received comments back from the Department of Water Resources on the preliminary design for the imported water pipeline. They will be resubmitting the design report after addressing the comments by March 31.
Johnson also added that the final environmental study is due to DWR by September 1, 2024.
How to attend: Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority meets at 11 a.m. on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at Ridge Crest City Hall located at 100 W California Ave., Ridgecrest. You can also watch online via their Youtube channel Live Stream.
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Meeting: Wheeler Ridge-Maricopa board of directors
Date: Feb. 14, 2024
Agenda and Packet: CLICK HERE
Major topic: Declaration of water shortage
Discussion: Eric McDaris, water resource manager for Wheeler Ridge-Maricopa Water Storage District, presented a recommendation to the board asking that the board announce a water shortage in light of the current 10% allocation announced by DWR.
Sheridan Nicholas, manager for the district, said staff is recommending this declaration now, in order to give the district landowner’s time to adapt.
Action: The declaration of a water shortage was approved.
How to attend: Wheeler Ridge meets at 8 a.m. on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at its office, 12109 Hwy 166, or online at https://www.gotomeet.me/WRMWSD
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