Tulare County farmers are incensed by a proposed new fee structure that they say will put the entire burden of state groundwater oversight across the San Joaquin Valley solely on their shoulders. It costs the state Water Resources Control Board about $5.5 million a year to oversee six basins in the San Joaquin Valley that have been found to have inadequate groundwater plans as part of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). Two of those subbasins have been placed on probation, under which farmers are required to pay fees to reimburse the state for those oversight costs. One of those subbasins has, so far, escaped the fees pending the outcome of a legal action. … At a June 11 online Water Board workshop, staff unveiled a new fee structure they say will repay state costs and protect small farmers. Tule subbasin farmers say the proposed fee structure, expected to raise $6.6 million, is unfair.

Other water and agriculture news:

• Ag Alert (California Farm Bureau): Agriculture is at a critical juncture, farm leaders warn
• Stormwater Solutions: California North Coast Water Board to regulate discharges from vineyards
• AgNet West: Advocating for California ag: Ryan Jacobsen on water, policy, and the Valley’s future​
• Western Water Notes: Blog: Unwinding — Groundwater retirement