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“Groundhog day meets purgatory.” The tale of the sinking Tule subbasin

• by Lois Henry
When you’re done, you’re done. And the Delano-Earlimart Irrigation District Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) is done. The district recently issued its new groundwater plan — purposely without coordination among the other groundwater agencies in the Tule subbasin. In the San Joaquin Valley water world, that’s the equivalent of going rogue. Especially as the Tule subbasin…
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Kern subbasin’s third try at groundwater plan fails to avert state enforcement action

• by Lois Henry
Noting that Kern County residents could suffer “urgent impacts” to their drinking water from continued agricultural groundwater overpumping, staff at the state Water Resources Control Board announced Thursday they are recommending the entire Kern subbasin be put on probation. Probation is the first step toward a possible state pumping take over. A hearing before the…
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State delays Kaweah subbasin’s probationary hearing date by two months

• by Lisa McEwen and Lois Henry, SJV Water
The state postponed the Kaweah groundwater region’s Nov. 5 probationary hearing until Jan. 7, 2025, according to an announcement at a “state of the subbasin” event held June 19 to answer questions about what probation would mean. “We have some good news for you this afternoon and we could all use some good news,” Mark…
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A slew of workshops and presentations set to educate and hear from Tulare County residents about Kaweah groundwater challenges

• by Lisa McEwen, SJV Water
Tulare County residents who want to express their opinions about possible state intervention in groundwater management to members of the State Water Board will have a chance to do so next week. State water board staff will hold two public workshops June 24 (virtual) and June 27 (in person) in Visalia to explain its draft…
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Counting groundwater: The devil is in the details

• by Lois Henry
A lengthy complaint alleging secretive, self-dealing on the part of a prominent farmer and board member on a key Tulare County groundwater agency slogged through a Fair Political Practices Commission investigation over the past four years resulting in, essentially, a slap on the wrist late last month. Eric L. Borba, former chair of the Eastern…
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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

• 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: More Kern water districts approve new groundwater plan in hopes of avoiding state intervention

• by Sonia Lemus, freelance for SJV Water
Meetings: Arvin-Edison board of directors Wheeler Ridge-Maricopa board of directors Shafter – Wasco Irrigation District Board of Directors Date: May 14 through 15, 2024 Arvin-Edison Water Storage District Agenda: CLICK HERE Wheeler Ridge-Maricopa Packet: CLICK HERE Shafter-Wasco Agenda: CLICK HERE Major topic: Wheeler Ridge-Maricopa Water Storage District, Arvin-Edison Water Storage District, and Shafter-Wasco Irrigation District…
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Friant lawsuit over sinking canal altered but moving forward

• by Lisa McEwen, SJV Water
One of multiple charges in a lawsuit that pins blame for the perpetually sinking Friant-Kern Canal on a single Tulare County groundwater agency was recently removed. The Eastern Tule Groundwater Sustainability Agency (ETGSA) hailed the move as vindication. But plaintiffs, the Friant Water Authority and Arvin-Edison Water Storage District, said the change was simply meant…
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