News
Proposed agreement could boost funds to fix Friant-Kern Canal
• by Lois Henry

The Eastern Tule Groundwater Sustainability Agency covers lands in southern Tulare County that rely heavily on groundwater pumping. That pumping has been blamed for subsidence that has damaged the Friant-Kern Canal.
In what was hailed as a “landmark agreement,” farmers in an area of southern Tulare County blamed for sinking the Friant-Kern Canal from excessive groundwater pumping will chip in a hefty amount to help pay for a fix.
How hefty could be decided by their payment choice.
A longer term payment option would be $200 million.
But a lump sum option could cost only $125 million, a 37.5 percent discount, according to a proposed settlement agreement between the Eastern Tule Groundwater Sustainability Agency and the Friant Water Authority.