John Vidovich, who runs Sandridge Partners LLC, one of Kings County’s largest farming operations, was shut out of gaining a seat on a groundwater agency for fear he would move native water outside the area. Board members of the Empire Westside Irrigation District voted 3-2 at their Dec. 15 meeting to keep Ceil Howe Jr. as their representative on the South Fork Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA), rather than switch to Vidovich. … Last July, Vidovich floated a proposal for the Southwest Kings GSA – where he controls three of the five board seats – to merge with the South Fork GSA. … More recently, Sandridge Partners threatened to sue South Fork GSA if it adopts a policy prohibiting movement of native groundwater more than a mile outside its boundaries.

Other groundwater news:

• Oroville Mercury-Register (Calif.): Lindo Channel groundwater testing underway
• SJV Water (Bakersfield, Calif.): Modesto district throws cold water on continuing investigation of director accused of theft during contentious meeting