Locals gear up for fight to keep Kings River water away from Kern district

By Lois Henry, SJV Water

Just as they did more than two generations ago, Kern County farmers are looking to another Central Valley river to the north to refill their groundwater shortfall.

But this time around, natives in the Kings River watershed are “sharpening their knives” to fight off what they say is a desperate water grab. Read Full Story “Locals gear up for fight to keep Kings River water away from Kern district”

State regulators must ensure proper use of Kings River water and deny theft attempt

By Steve Haugen and Mark McKean

Ask any lifelong farmer or resident in the Central Valley, and they’ll tell you — the game is changing, and it’s changing fast.

Year after year, there is greater demand for water. Climate change wreaks havoc on crops, the droughts seem longer and the torrential rains come down even heavier. We are paying the consequences of past water management practices, especially overpumping of groundwater.

The state of California has pushed for smarter, more responsible and sustainable water management practices. In recent years, new laws have been enacted that will help all of us over the long-term. But it is critical that when our state’s leaders establish new goals and pass new policies, they must also help us achieve them without changing the rules of the game along the way.

Read Full Story “State regulators must ensure proper use of Kings River water and deny theft attempt”