… According to a new report, rigid fee structures and complex regulations threaten to harm California’s smallest growers, driving land consolidation in favor of deep-pocketed corporate orchards. The report by the University of California Small Farms Network and the nonprofit group Community Alliance with Family Farmers warns that without immediate action by state and local agencies, many family farms could be forced out of business. … The researchers suggested each local groundwater agency identify the smaller farmers, consider exempting those that use minimal water and set fees in a tiered system that allows growers who pump less to pay less.

Other groundwater news:

• KJZZ (Phoenix): New SRP pipeline will boost access to stored groundwater in dry times
• The Arizona Republic (Phoenix): New pipeline will let Arizona recover banked Colorado River water
• The Conversation: Blog: Can pumping groundwater really flip Earth’s poles? An expert explains