The state Water Resources Control Board reversed course on a proposed fee change for groundwater extraction in the San Joaquin Valley after receiving a volley of negative letters, saying changes are “premature.”  The update came during an online Water Rights Fees meeting July 31. Fees target pumpers in overdrafted subbasins placed on probation by the Water Board for lacking adequate groundwater plans. State fees … are intended to repay the state an estimated $5.5 million a year that it says it costs to oversee six groundwater basins in the San Joaquin Valley where plans have been deemed inadequate. Water Board staff had suggested creating a graduated fee structure based on farm size, giving small growers a break at $5-per-acre-foot pumped and charging large growers $40 per acre foot pumped.

Other groundwater news:

• Sierra Sun (Truckee, Calif.): PCWA adopts Martis Valley Groundwater Management Plan
• The Pajaronian (Watsonville, Calif.): College Lake Water Supply Project wraps up
• AgNet West: Madera County water challenges explained by Matt Angell