Lois Henry: Lawsuit Aims to Save Desert Ag: Draft Groundwater Sustainability Plan Would End Large-Scale Agriculture in Indian Wells Valley
By Opinion
Published 4 years ago on
November 27, 2019
Share
[aggregation-styles]
Bakersfield.com
Bakersfield.com
Water managers trying to bring groundwater into balance in the severely overdrafted Indian Wells Valley basin near Ridgecrest laid out a draft plan last month that would essentially mean the end of large-scale agriculture in that desert region.
“We are giving options to (ag) pumpers so they understand they have a limited future here and can make the best decisions for their businesses,” said Kern County Supervisor Mick Gleason, who represents the area and sits on the Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority board.
Last week, several ag companies fired back with a lawsuit.
It is the first lawsuit related to the state’s new groundwater law in Kern County, though the plaintiffs are quick to point out that this is not an “adjudication” lawsuit and that neither the Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority nor its draft Groundwater Sustainability Plan are named in the lawsuit.
“We are giving options to (ag) pumpers so they understand they have a limited future here and can make the best decisions for their businesses,” said Kern County Supervisor Mick Gleason, who represents the area and sits on the Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority board.
Last week, several ag companies fired back with a lawsuit.
It is the first lawsuit related to the state’s new groundwater law in Kern County, though the plaintiffs are quick to point out that this is not an “adjudication” lawsuit and that neither the Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority nor its draft Groundwater Sustainability Plan are named in the lawsuit.
By Lois Henry, SJV Water | 26 Nov 2019
RELATED TOPICS:
At Time of Rising Antisemitism, Holocaust Survivors Take on Denial and Hate in New Digital Campaign
Inspire /
17 hours ago
Gov. Newsom Appoints Judges for Fresno, Merced Counties
Local /
1 day ago
Israel Briefs US on Evacuation Plan for Palestinians Ahead of Planned Rafah Assault
World /
1 day ago
Canadian Police Make 3 Arrests in Sikh Separatist’s Slaying That Sparked a Spat with India
World /
1 day ago
Three Arrested for Trespassing, Posting Flyers at Fresno Synagogue and Church
Crime /
1 day ago
Latest
Videos
Politics /
16 hours ago
Yellen Says Threats to Democracy Risk US Economic Growth, an Indirect Jab at Trump
World /
17 hours ago
New Sea Route for Gaza Aid on Track. Treating Starving Children Is a Priority
Inspire /
17 hours ago
At Time of Rising Antisemitism, Holocaust Survivors Take on Denial and Hate in New Digital Campaign
Local /
1 day ago
Gov. Newsom Appoints Judges for Fresno, Merced Counties
World /
1 day ago