westlands water district Archives

Courts keep ruling against action tied to Westlands’ federal contract but it doesn’t mean much. Why not?

August 9, 2023

• by Lois Henry

The Center for Biological Diversity trumpeted a court ruling Monday that denied an appeal by Westlands Water District of a previous ruling that kiboshed the district’s “validation” action to have its contract for federal water converted from a term contract to a permanent one. “Once again the courts have ruled that these schemes to lock…

Water Banking

Will the giant Westlands Water District “spill” water this year for lack of demand?

June 28, 2023

• by Lois Henry

Westlands Water District, the biggest agricultural water district in the state, could lose 200,000 acre feet of water – or more – for lack of demand, according to an update at its June board meeting. The revelation was made during a briefing by Chief Operating Officer Jose Guiterrez who acknowledged Westlands could have more than…

Personalities

Westlands names chief operating officer to serve as interim general manager

December 20, 2022

• by Lois Henry

Westlands Water District named its chief operating officer, Jose Gutierrez to oversee the sprawling district in western Fresno County until it hires a new general manager. Gutierrez will serve as interim general manager until May. The added duties will come with an additional $50,000 to Gutierrez’ $240,000 annual salary, the board announced at its Dec….

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…

Drinking Water • Drought

Water debt doubles for residents of tiny, impoverished west Fresno County towns

October 20, 2022

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water

Water debt has ballooned to nearly double what it was last year in Cantua Creek and El Porvenir, two small towns in western Fresno County where nearly half the residents live in poverty. The towns were supposed to be getting water from two new wells by now but the project hasn’t been completed so they’ve…

Groundwater

Groundwater plans for Westlands Water District, three other areas, deemed “incomplete”

January 21, 2022

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water

Groundwater plans for two regions in the western San Joaquin Valley were deemed deficient by the state Department of Water Resources (DWR) on Friday. The Westside subbasin, overseen by Westlands Water District, and the Delta-Mendota subbasin’s plans were officially labeled as “incomplete” by DWR. The state also found groundwater plans for the Paso Robles and…

Personalities

Westlands GM gets contract extension despite grower objections

December 21, 2021

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water reporting intern

During a contentious Westlands Water District meeting on Tuesday where growers spoke out against district leadership, board members voted 8-1 to extend General Manager Tom Birmingham’s contract another three years. As has been the district’s recent practice, the contract extension came a year before Birmingham’s contract expires. Westlands growers criticized Birmingham, expressed frustration at the…

NEWS

Courts keep ruling against action tied to Westlands’ federal contract but it doesn’t mean much. Why not?

Will the giant Westlands Water District “spill” water this year for lack of demand?

Westlands names chief operating officer to serve as interim general manager

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

Water debt doubles for residents of tiny, impoverished west Fresno County towns

Groundwater plans for Westlands Water District, three other areas, deemed “incomplete”

Westlands GM gets contract extension despite grower objections

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