Water managers in two Tulare County groundwater agencies are scrambling to keep their farmers out of state clutches as much as possible, even knowing the solution will be painful. “As long as we don’t saddle our landowners with another fee and a report to fill out, that’s our goal,” said attorney Alex Peltzer, who represents Lower Tule River Irrigation District and Pixley groundwater sustainability agencies. “That is our attitude and it is doable. It’s going to be unpopular and tough to do, but it’s possible. We think we can help manage landowners into a soft landing.”  The only way to get there, though, is to significantly reduce pumping – and fast.

Related ag and groundwater articles:

• SJV Water: State grilling prompts Tulare County groundwater agency to make changes
• SJV Sun: Fresno State utilizes grant funding to study groundwater recharge
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• California Department of Water Resources news release: DWR releases groundwater conditions update highlighting first decade of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act