Santa Cruz commentary: Protecting our groundwater, and our future: J. Miles Reiter writes, “The single greatest risk to the future of farms in California is a severe lack of water. As a berry farmer in Coastal California my entire life, I have been a vocal supporter of groundwater regulation. This may surprise some, as ready access to water is the very lifeblood of our business. Our production areas have little to no surface water supplies, so we are almost completely dependent upon abundant, quality groundwater; something that has been deceptively available for the last 150 years. We are now seeing the profound risk of losing this critical resource, unless we collectively act soon to preserve groundwater resources for both the next decade and future generations. … ” Read more from the Santa Cruz Sentinel here: Protecting our groundwater, and our future
City of Ventura and SB Channelkeeper Sign Interim Settlement on Ventura River Litigation: “The City of San Buenaventura and Santa Barbara Channelkeeper are pleased to announce an interim settlement in the lawsuit regarding the pumping and diversion of water from the Ventura River Watershed. Both Channelkeeper and the City are dedicated to ensuring the protection of this finite water source and the habitat and species that rely on it while providing water now and for the future. This collaborative agreement brings us another step closer towards this goal. … ” Read more from Edhat here: City of Ventura and SB Channelkeeper Sign Interim Settlement on Ventura River Litigation
Kern County groundwater overdraft numbers ‘don’t add up,’ and that’s a big problem, says Lois Henry: “San Joaquin Valley farmers have pumped the basin’s groundwater so furiously and for so long that parts of the valley are sinking, endangering roads and bridges and even breaking one of the main canals that brings in water to support local agriculture. Yet, here in Kern County, state-mandated water budgets presented by several large ag water districts and groundwater sustainability agencies have painted a far rosier groundwater picture. So rosy, the numbers simply couldn’t be believed — and they aren’t. … ” Read more from Bakersfield.com here: Groundwater overdraft numbers ‘don’t add up,’ and that’s a big problem
Cummings basin water users hear potential changes for allocations from TCCWD: “The Tehachapi-Cummings County Water District is hoping property owners, existing customers and well owners within the Cummings Valley basin will agree to set ground water allocation amounts for residential and agricultural uses. More than 180 people were invited to a special board meeting Sept. 27 at the district’s office to hear more information on the topic. “We need to manage this basin for the long-term preservation of everyone’s interest,” said Tom Neisler, general manager for TCCWD. … ” Read more from the Tehachapi News here: Cummings basin water users hear potential changes for allocations from TCCWD
Santa Clarita: Applications Still Being Accepted for Groundwater Advisory Committee: “Applications are still being accepted for a public advisory committee to help develop a plan for sustainable management of the local groundwater basin in the Santa Clarita Valley. The application deadline has been extended to October 18, 2019 to ensure representation from all identified stakeholder groups. ... ” Read more from the Santa Clarita Valley Signal here: Applications Still Being Accepted for Groundwater Advisory Committee
Antelope Valley: Water storage agreements OK’d: “The Antelope Valley Watermaster gave preliminary approval to the first two water storage agreements to come before the Board tasked with overseeing the 2015 court settlement that set limits on groundwater pumping for users across the Valley. The Watermaster Board reviewed applications from the Rosamond Community Services District and the Littlerock Creek Irrigation District regarding projects that would, in effect, store water underground in the aquifer by allowing it to percolate through the soil. It may then be withdrawn in the future through wells. … ” Read more from the Antelope Valley Press here: Antelope Valley: Water storage agreements OK’d