Kings County Farm Bureau sues state for placing the region on probation because of groundwater woes
The Kings County Farm Bureau and two of its farmer members have filed suit against the state Water Resources Control Board, claiming the board exceeded its jurisdiction when it placed the Tulare Lake groundwater subbasin on probation April 16. A writ of mandate was filed May 15 in Kings County Superior Court. A writ is an order asking a governmental body, in this case the Water Board, to cease an action. The farm bureau is asking the board to vacate the resolution, which was passed unanimously. “The board’s decision to place the (Tulare Lake Subbasin) on probation violated the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act and expanded the board’s authority beyond its jurisdiction,” a Kings County Farm Bureau press release states. The filing asks for declaratory and injunctive relief, and cites eight causes of action under the writ that the “probationary designation is arbitrary, capricious, and lacking in evidentiary support.”
Related groundwater articles:
- SJV Water: Sinking land, dry wells and accusations are plentiful in Kings County – but no solutions in sight
- SJV Water: Meeting notes – More Kern water districts approve new groundwater plan in hopes of avoiding state intervention
- SJV Water: Fresno water district plans to use a $5 million federal grant to sink more water