The grim reality for agriculture under the state’s new groundwater law has pitted farmer against farmer in several regions, including the Pleasant Valley subbasin. An April 22 meeting of the Pleasant Valley Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) erupted in accusations of conflict of interest as some farmers demanded the resignation of GSA General Manager Brad Gleason. … Specifically, Gleason was accused of signing a $25 million loan application without board approval. The alleged application was with the U.S. Department of Agriculture for a proposed pipeline that would bring surface water to the subbasin where Gleason has land, according to a letter sent to the board by grower Phillip Christensen. Gleason, who has farmed in the area for more than 40 years, denied the allegations in a terse back-and-forth with attorneys at the meeting. 

Other Central Valley groundwater news:

• SJV Water: Chowchilla may be first San Joaquin Valley subbasin to get  do-over on inadequate groundwater plan
• SJV Water: Bakersfield water board discusses consolidation, annexation of failing water systems