Arizona judges won’t force state officials to determine if there should be greater state oversight of water use along the upper San Pedro River. In a new ruling Wednesday, the state Court of Appeals acknowledged that state law requires the Arizona Department of Water Resources to “periodically review” whether to create what are known as “active management areas” in parts of the state which now have minimal to no limits on groundwater pumping. Such a designation would give the state the power to impose new restrictions on pumping. The court did not dispute arguments by two environmental groups that it has been more than 20 years since the state agency conducted such a review of the area.

Other groundwater news:

• SJV Water (Bakersfield, Calif.): Kings County groundwater agency to hold another workshop on how to register wells
• Westside Connect (Newman, Calif.): Officials celebrate completion of Orestimba Creek recharge project in Newman
• County of Los Angeles: News release: Storm season supercharges LA county’s groundwater supply