california Archives - Page 4 of 31

Powerful Kern water agency paid more than $600,000 to oust its longtime attorney

May 28, 2024

• by Lois Henry

A settlement agreement obtained by SJV Water shows the longtime attorney for the Kern County Water Agency was paid $640,000 when she was fired in March. The agency voted to fire Attorney Amelia Minaberrigarai after a March 18 special meeting. She had just three months left on her contract. The agency stated she was not…

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Kings County farmers face probation as state demands well registration, detailed pumping reports

May 28, 2024

• by Lisa McEwen, SJV Water

Probation has started for the Tulare Lake subbasin and farmers will be getting a list of “to-dos” in the mail this week. The State Water Resources Control Board is sending step-by-step instructions of what’s expected under this historic designation, in which board staff will begin collecting pumping information. The board declared the region under probation…

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Last year’s groundwater recharge numbers were impressive but what about this year?

May 28, 2024

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water

This current, remarkably average water year – not last year’s barn burner – will be the true test to see how well groundwater agencies are rejuvenating the San Joaquin Valley’s withered aquifers, longtime water managers say. Yes, 2023’s historic wet year did a lot to help groundwater levels rebound in many parts of the valley….

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Rehearing on Kern River rejected by appellate court. Next step could be the California Supreme Court

May 24, 2024

• by Lois Henry

The 5th District Court of Appeal denied a petition Friday to rehear the court’s earlier decision to put a hold on a Kern County court’s order that had required the City of Bakersfield keep enough water in the Kern River for fish to survive. Both plaintiffs in the action have said they will likely petition…

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Cover crops could enhance groundwater recharge – a lot – but agencies aren’t embracing the concept

May 23, 2024

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water

Cover crops could be an important tool in groundwater management but are being unintentionally disincentivized by groundwater sustainability agencies (GSAs,) according to a new study. GSAs haven’t done enough analysis or incentivization of cover crops, according to authors of the study. In fact, the study suggests some GSAs are putting a negative spin on the…

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MEETING NOTES: North Kern concerned the subbasin’s revamped groundwater plan – now seven plans – won’t pass muster with the state

May 22, 2024

• by Sonia Lemus, freelance for SJV Water

Meeting: North Kern Water Storage District board of directors. Date: May 22, 2024 Agenda and board packet: CLICK HERE Main topic: Submission of a revamped groundwater sustainability plan for the Kern subbasin to the state Water Resources Control Board to avoid probation. Background: Two previous groundwater plans for the Kern subbasin were rejected by the…

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MEETING NOTES: Accusations of secrecy, slander and horse “pucky,” pervade high desert groundwater discussions

May 19, 2024

• by Sonia Lemus, freelance for SJV Water

Meeting: Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority board of directors Date: May 15, 2024 Agenda and Packet: CLICK HERE First topic: Reassessment of importing water from Little Lake, an area north of the Indian Wells Valley in Inyo County. Background: The Indian Wells Valley is a critically overdrafted basin in eastern Kern County. Its residents and…

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Sinking land, dry wells and accusations are plentiful in Kings County – but no solutions in sight

May 17, 2024

• by Lisa McEwen, SJV Water

Relations among Kings County groundwater entities have gone from bad to worse after the state put the region on probation for its inability to come up with a cohesive plan to curb furious overpumping that has sunk huge swaths of land, dried up wells and caused other problems. After a burst of collaboration to try…

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Report shows inflation has boosted the delta tunnel cost to $20 billion – or more

May 17, 2024

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water

The controversial Delta Conveyance Project will cost $20.1 billion according to a new cost-benefit analysis released by the state on Thursday. That’s up from the previous cost projection of $16 billion. Almost all of that increase is because of inflation, said David Sunding, emeritus professor at UC Berkeley, who led the benefit-cost analysis, in a…

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Kern River combatants sent to their respective corners – for now

May 9, 2024

• by Lois Henry

Further legal action on the Kern River was put on pause Thursday morning following an order by the 5th District Court of Appeal that stayed a local injunction mandating enough water be kept in the river for fish. Kern County Superior Court Judge Gregory Pulskamp said the 5th District’s order that stayed his earlier injunction…

NEWS

Powerful Kern water agency paid more than $600,000 to oust its longtime attorney

Kings County farmers face probation as state demands well registration, detailed pumping reports

Last year’s groundwater recharge numbers were impressive but what about this year?

Rehearing on Kern River rejected by appellate court. Next step could be the California Supreme Court

Cover crops could enhance groundwater recharge – a lot – but agencies aren’t embracing the concept

MEETING NOTES: North Kern concerned the subbasin’s revamped groundwater plan – now seven plans – won’t pass muster with the state

MEETING NOTES: Accusations of secrecy, slander and horse “pucky,” pervade high desert groundwater discussions

Sinking land, dry wells and accusations are plentiful in Kings County – but no solutions in sight

Report shows inflation has boosted the delta tunnel cost to $20 billion – or more

Kern River combatants sent to their respective corners – for now

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