As water levels in California’s rivers and reservoirs drop, farmers increasingly rely on groundwater. That’s causing land to sink in the San Joaquin Valley. And the state’s reliance is likely to grow.
“They’re may be permanent damage going on to some of our groundwater basins," says Matt Rodriguez, Secretary for the California Environmental Protection Agency.
"We’re seeing subsidence in portions of the state, those are situations where state action may be warranted,” he says.
Governor Brown’s budget would fund more staff and spend almost eight million dollars on managing and monitoring groundwater use. Kathryn Phillips with the Sierra Club is pleased.
“Groundwater is something that we haven’t monitored very well in this state we haven’t regulated very well and this is a case where more regulation is needed,” she says.
Rodriguez says the state would only step in if local or regional agencies are unable or unwilling to manage groundwater.
More Budget Coverage
Related Stories
Emergency Drought Relief Money Still Unspent
July 7, 2014Four months after Governor Jerry Brown and Democratic lawmakers announced “emergency drought legislation,” the vast majority of the money sits untouched.
Districts Cite Financial Concerns As Brown Signs CalSTRS Budget Bill
June 24, 2014School districts, teachers and state taxpayers will each chip in more money to stabilize the California State Teachers Retirement System under a measure signed Tuesday by Governor Jerry Brown.
Legislature Approves $156 Billion Budget
June 16, 2014Democrats are lauding the passage of California’s $156 billion budget while Republicans say state spending is becoming excessive.
Governor, pro Tem, Speaker Declare Budget Deal
June 13, 2014California Governor Jerry Brown and Democratic legislative leaders say they’ve reached a final budget deal.
Budget Update: No Final Deal Yet, But Compromises Emerge
June 12, 2014California Governor Jerry Brown and Democratic legislative leaders have yet to announce a state budget deal – even though many of their compromises have been ratified by a joint Senate-Assembly conference committee
CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you. As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.
Comments