The state water board is asking the Legislature for a $16 million loan to finance its reviews of groundwater management plans.  Last year the board put two subbasins on probation, triggering the effected groundwater agencies to pay board fees. Yet the Kings County Farm Bureau challenged the Tulare Lake decision. A county judge then issued a temporary injunction, blocking the board from collecting fees until at least spring 2026.  Now the board needs to pay about two dozen staff working on the reviews or face delays in probationary hearings. It had anticipated a two-year delay due to the lag time in collecting fees under the act. 

Other groundwater news:

• Fresno State News: News release: New farmer-focused survey reveals barriers to sustainable groundwater
• The Sonoma County Gazette (Santa Rosa, Calif.): Sonoma County’s water battle: A temporary win for supes, but what’s next?
• Northern California Public Media: Sonoma County resumes issuing new water well permits