Tulare, Calif., (August 4, 2017) – The County of Tulare has released a DRAFT proposal of a groundwater ordinance that will impact groundwater extractions and property rights. If approved, it would be a prohibition on groundwater usage in unincorporated areas of that county that takes effect as an interim measure before the enforcement of the new Sustainable Groundwater Management Act laws set to take effect in 2020.
Linked here is the draft ordinance, which addresses extractions of groundwater in Tulare County. To date, this attached draft has not been presented to the Board of Supervisors. It will next be discussed at the County Water Commission meeting on August 14 at 3:00 pm, the public may attend.
Staff to the Board anticipate the draft will be presented to the Board of Supervisors for their first look at a regular scheduled Board meeting in September. At yesterday’s County Ag Policy Advisory meeting, the committee decided to submit a comment letter to the Board in opposition.
Members of the public, concerned landowners, and all stakeholders are encouraged to submit comments anytime through the day of the public hearing, which will likely be held at a Board of Supervisors meeting in September. When the topic is placed on the Board’s agenda, there will be a public hearing held.
Water Rights in California are unique in many respects, and this type of prohibition on extractions may impact agricultural users in adverse ways, we encourage you to study this closely. The Tulare County Farm Bureau board of directors and staff will also be reviewing this in the weeks ahead.