farming Archives - Page 9 of 19

dams

Question of water rights looms over controversial proposed new dam

November 21, 2022

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water

A controversial proposed dam seems to have a new pathway forward. But how far will it get through California’s byzantine world of water rights? Nobody seems to agree on an answer. The Del Puerto Canyon Reservoir is a joint project between the Del Puerto Water District and the San Joaquin River Exchange Contractor Authority on…

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…

Personalities

“Drop out” from race for seat on a powerful Kern water board appears poised to win

November 11, 2022

• by Lois Henry

If challenger Eric Averett maintains his lead over incumbent Phil Cerro for a seat on the powerful Kern County Water Agency board, it may prove just how effective a campaign statement can be. Averett said he tried to withdraw his name from the ballot after belatedly learning Cerro would run. But he missed the deadline…

Drought • Federal System • Groundwater • Personalities • SGMA

Change is coming to the Westlands Water District board. What will it mean for the future of the sprawling district and its controversial general manager?

October 27, 2022

• by Lois Henry

The makeup of the Westlands Water District board will change this election – shifting power to a coalition of growers with a list of new actions, at the top of which appears to be ousting longtime General Manager Tom Birmingham. “There needs to be a change of leadership, that’s a foundational issue,” said Sarah Woolf,…

SGMA

More Kern County water districts split with larger authority

October 26, 2022

• by Rose Horowitch, SJV Water reporting intern

Two more members of the Kern Groundwater Authority (KGA) announced that they will form their own groundwater sustainability agencies, continuing a pattern of members distancing themselves from Kern County’s largest groundwater agency. The Shafter-Wasco Irrigation District and North Kern Water Storage District will each form their own GSA, it was announced at the Oct. 26…

Rivers

VIDEO: How the lower Kern River is divvied up

October 23, 2022

• by Lois Henry

Flows on the lower Kern River are split up among a hydra of canals starting just west of Hart Park. We talk with local experts who explain who owns those canals and where the water goes under the Law of the River. There’s a lot to learn so we’re splitting the lower Kern into two…

SGMA

Over pumping will sting Madera growers, just not as much

September 27, 2022

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water

There will be a penalty for over pumping groundwater in Madera County, but it won’t be as painful as it could have been. That was the upshot from a nearly three-hour – sometimes fiery – meeting on Tuesday of the Madera County Board of Supervisors. Supervisors opted for a penalty of $100 per acre foot…

SGMA

Distrust of satellite monitoring delays Madera County’s plan to penalize growers for over pumping

September 23, 2022

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water

Fear and confusion over a new groundwater monitoring technology pushed back the “penalty phase” of Madera County’s attempt to get a handle on its pumping problem. The Madera County Board of Supervisors was supposed to have voted on penalties for growers who pump more than they’re allowed at its Sept. 13 meeting. But after three…

SGMA

Madera groundwater plans kicked back by state for not protecting domestic wells, ignoring subsidence

September 22, 2022

• by Jesse Vad and Lois Henry, SJV Water

The state kicked Madera County groundwater plans back for a redo on Thursday, noting, in particular, that they had set water levels so low it could endanger hundreds of domestic wells. The plans also all but ignored ongoing damage to roads, bridges and canals caused by sinking land, subsidence, opting mostly to “monitor” the situation….

Personalities

Through dry years and wet – and multiple lawsuits – retiring Bakersfield City water leader met challenges cheerfully

September 16, 2022

• by Lois Henry

Art Chianello, who has led Bakersfield’s Water Resources Department through two of the state’s worst droughts and one of its wettest years on record, is retiring at the end of September. Most municipal water departments are fairly quiet operations. As long as water comes out of taps, not many people pay attention. But the Bakersfield…

NEWS

Question of water rights looms over controversial proposed new dam

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

“Drop out” from race for seat on a powerful Kern water board appears poised to win

Change is coming to the Westlands Water District board. What will it mean for the future of the sprawling district and its controversial general manager?

More Kern County water districts split with larger authority

VIDEO: How the lower Kern River is divvied up

Over pumping will sting Madera growers, just not as much

Distrust of satellite monitoring delays Madera County’s plan to penalize growers for over pumping

Madera groundwater plans kicked back by state for not protecting domestic wells, ignoring subsidence

Through dry years and wet – and multiple lawsuits – retiring Bakersfield City water leader met challenges cheerfully

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