Kern farmers will likely avoid state sanctions thanks to the latest revision of the region’s groundwater plan that substantially increased drinking water protections and eventually gained state approval – with some required tweaks. State Water Resources Control Board staff recommended on Friday that the Kern subbasin be moved back under oversight of the Department of Water Resources provided water managers fix three outstanding issues. 

Other groundwater news:

• Milk Producers Council: Blog: State Water Board staff conditionally recommends returning control of Kern subbasin to Department of Water Resources
• KTLA (Los Angeles): San Bernardino Valley, Fontana Water Company and Cadiz sign agreement for perchlorate treatment in Cactus basins
• NBC: Video: Arizona town sinking as farms pump groundwater, locals drill deeper wells