For many years, California was the only Western State not regulating groundwater pumping. However, they are now faced with adjusting to a new system of groundwater use. On September 16, 2014, California’s Governor Jerry Brown signed legislation limiting underground water use by commercial and residential users. The new regulations take effect in January 2015 tasking local government officials to ensure underground water use is sustainable.
This legislation, driven by drought, is believed by Governor Jerry Brown to be a necessary step in protecting the state’s groundwater reserves from depletion. Some question the potential ripple effect on farmers and ranchers across the Northern coast. In fact, groups representing the agricultural industry opposed the new legislation as they turned to underground sources of water to irrigate and sustain their food and fiber crops.
For more information, please read “New groundwater laws to have ripple effect on agriculture” at http://www.pressdemocrat.com/home/2678118-181/groundwater-laws-to-have-ripple.
