The April court dates are behind us. This episode breaks down what actually happened, what did not happen, and what it means for growers in the Tulare Lake Subbasin right now.

Kings County Farm Bureau has two upcoming court dates that could directly impact groundwater reporting requirements for growers in the Tulare Lake Subbasin.

In this episode, we break down what is happening on April 15 and April 21, what the court is being asked to decide, and what it could mean for your operation.

The April 15 appearance is procedural. We expect the court to set a firm schedule moving forward.

The April 21 hearing is more significant. That is when the judge will consider our request for a Preliminary Injunction to pause retroactive groundwater reporting and associated fees while the case is still being decided.

If the court does not grant that injunction, growers should be prepared for the possibility that groundwater pumping for water years 2024 and 2025 will need to be reported, with fees potentially following.

At this stage, nothing has been decided.

The best step right now is preparation. Make sure you have a clear understanding of your groundwater use during those years and, where applicable, a general sense of surface water deliveries.

We will continue to monitor both court dates closely and provide updates through the podcast, email, and our website as soon as new information is available.

On March 12, the Kings County Farm Bureau will return to Kings County Superior Court in its lawsuit challenging the State Water Resources Control Board’s decision to place the Tulare Lake Subbasin on probation under California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA).

In this episode, Executive Director Dusty Ference explains where the case currently stands, what the upcoming hearing is expected to address, and why the outcome could matter for groundwater management in the Tulare Lake Subbasin and beyond.

The March 12 appearance is a status conference following remittitur from the Court of Appeal and marks the point where the trial court will begin determining how the remaining legal issues in the case will move forward.

This episode is the first in a series of updates on the litigation and what it could mean for agriculture and water policy in California’s Central Valley.

Learn more at KCFB.org.