Tulare Lake basin faces state intervention over water issues

California water regulators have placed the Tulare Lake basin on probation due to insufficient action against excessive groundwater pumping, risking further environmental damage.

Ian James and Jessica Garrison report for the Los Angeles Times.

In short:

• The State Water Resources Control Board's decision marks a first in using state authority to directly manage groundwater depletion in California.
• Affected farmers must now report water usage and incur fees, aiming to foster more sustainable water management practices.
• Local plans deemed inadequate by the state have led to significant land subsidence, prompting urgent calls for revised groundwater management strategies.

Key quote:

"The reality is that probation is a step. It’s a process that ultimately is about local control."

— Joaquin Esquivel, chair of the State Water Resources Control Board

Why this matters:

California's relationship with groundwater is a complex dance between necessity and sustainability. Picture a parched landscape where water scarcity is not just a concern but a daily reality. That's the canvas upon which California's water saga unfolds, with groundwater serving as a critical player.