When California’s new groundwater law was written, who had a seat at the table and who was left out? On the May 7th edition of Your Call, we continue our weeklong series on California’s water crisis by talking about the state’s first-ever rules for pumping groundwater. The new law requires different groups and interests to work together to figure out how to preserve the state’s depleted groundwater. They include water agencies, agriculture, rural residents, and tribal governments. Who has a voice and who doesn’t? It’s Your Call with Rose Aguilar, and you.
Guests:
Kristin Dobbin, regional water management coordinator with the Community Water Center
Leaf Hillman, director of natural resources and environmental policy for the Karuk Tribe
David Gutierrez, program manager for the Department of Water Resource’s Groundwater Sustainability Program
Web resources:
NY Times: Drought Flames Economic Divide of Californians
NPR: All Tapped Out in A Tiny California Town
Guardian: The California Town with no water: Even an ‘angel’ can’t keep the wells from going dry
LA Times: Gov. Brown Signs Historical Groundwater Management Legislation
Porterville Record: Porterville May Declare State of Emergency