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Proposed ag water district could aid groundwater-dependent farmers in northern Tulare County

• by Lisa McEwen, SJV Water
A proposed new agricultural water district could brighten what had been shaping up as a grim future for a number of farmers in the northern part of Tulare County’s flatlands under the state’s groundwater law. Four private ditch companies are working to form the new district to cover 84,000 acres, 24,000 of which are totally groundwater…
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Crunch time: Groundwater agency with land in two troubled subbasins working double time to try and hold off state sanctions

• by Monserrat Solis, California Local News Fellow
Editor’s note: Monserrat Solis covers Kings County water issues for SJV Water through the California Local News Fellowship initiative.  The Tri-County Water Authority has a foot in each of the two groundwater basins now under state probation and is scrambling to find a path to compliance in each. Tri-County covers lands in both the Tule…
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Case against groundwater sanctions in Kings County on hold while appeals court reviews a state challenge

• by Monserrat Solis, California Local News Fellow
Editor’s note: Monserrat Solis covers Kings County water issues for SJV Water through the California Local News Fellowship initiative.    The Fifth District Court of Appeal agreed to hear one of two challenges by the state in a Kings County Superior Court case that paused groundwater sanctions set to be imposed on area farmers. The…
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Tulare County groundwater agency board member tips his hat – literally – on his way out

• by Lisa McEwen, SJV Water
The evolution of the Eastern Tule Groundwater Sustainability Agency continued Thursday, as outgoing – and outspoken – board member Matt Leider attended his final meeting sporting a new hat emblazoned with the words “Tea Pot Dome GSA.”  For those who follow the ebb and flow of groundwater agencies in the Tule subbasin, Leider’s hat was…
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Heated water district race reveals fears that wealthy outsiders are calling the shots, selling water

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water
A contentious race for a seat on the Laguna Irrigation District board of directors in Kings County is revealing deep-seated fears that wealthy outside interests are driving district policies tipping the scales against smaller, local farmers. At the heart of those fears is a name that’s well-known in water circles, John Vidovich. Vidovich controls Sandridge…
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Kings County groundwater managers ‘flying blind’ with zero input from state Water Board

• by Lisa McEwen, SJV Water and Monserrat Solis, California Local News Fellow
Editor’s note: Monserrat Solis covers Kings County water issues for SJV Water through the California Local News Fellowship initiative.  Water managers in Kings County have heard nothing but crickets from state Water Resources Control Board staff for more than a month. While they would like feedback on how to best revise their groundwater sustainability plans,…
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One Tulare County groundwater region setting the standard for protecting residential wells

• by Lisa McEwen, SJV Water
At least one Tulare County groundwater region is doing things right when it comes to protecting residential drinking water wells, according to two advocacy organizations. The Kaweah subbasin, which covers the northern half of Tulare County’s flatlands, earned important endorsements this month from the Community Water Center and Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability. Both…
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Effects of water scarcity, regulations discussed at State of Kings County event

• by Monserrat Solis, California Local News Fellow
Editor’s note: Monserrat Solis covers Kings County water issues for SJV Water through the California Local News Fellowship initiative.  Regulatory challenges and increasing water demands are shifting pressures and creating fierce resource competition in the San Joaquin Valley that will affect Kings County’s future, according to one speaker at the State of Kings County event…
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Accusations of “extortion” and “bullying” fly in dispute over who should pay for sinking the Friant-Kern Canal

• by Lisa McEwen, SJV Water
A last-resort attempt to shore up funding for ongoing Friant-Kern Canal repairs has run into a buzzsaw of opposition from several irrigation districts that were stuck with the bill – up to $295 million. A letter disputing the fees accuses the Friant Water Authority, which operates the canal, of, among other things, extortion. “What would…
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