Great news. An unelected agency is not going to be allowed to kill off agriculture in Kings County. At least for a few weeks. Another unelected state agency has declared a cut of 30% in water allocations, starting in 2025. You can bet many farms will go under—and in their place will be wind farms and housing (without water availability).
“On Monday, July 15, 2024, Kings County Superior Court Superior Judge Ciuffini issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB). Pending a hearing, the SWRCB and its agents, servants, partners, and employees, and all persons acting on its behalf are restrained and enjoined from enforcing SWRCB Resolution No. 2024-0012, “Designating the Tulare Lake Groundwater Subbasin as Probationary Under the SGMA.”
The restraining order remains in effect until Tuesday, August 20, 2024, when the judge will consider issuing a temporary injunction. The TRO means that growers in the subbasin are not required to meter or record groundwater pumping information until further notice. Judge Giuffini issued a tentative ruling that she would not likely rule in our favor.
Newsom is using every agency to kill off what is left of California. On this record he plans to run for President.
JUDGE ISSUES TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER AGAINST STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD
Kings County Farm Bureau, 7/16/24 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/58f51b603e00bea40e068ff8/t/6696bd887387351dbe0ee014/1721154953549/20240716_TRO.pdf
Hanford, Calif. — On Monday, July 15, 2024, Kings County Superior Court Superior Judge Ciuffini issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB). Pending a hearing, the SWRCB and its agents, servants, partners, and employees, and all persons acting on its behalf are restrained and enjoined from enforcing SWRCB Resolution No. 2024-0012, “Designating the Tulare Lake Groundwater Subbasin as Probationary Under the SGMA.”
The restraining order remains in effect until Tuesday, August 20, 2024, when the judge will consider issuing a temporary injunction. The TRO means that growers in the subbasin are not required to meter or record groundwater pumping information until further notice. Judge Giuffini issued a tentative ruling that she would not likely rule in our favor.
However, after hearing arguments from KCFB and the SWRCB, she reversed her tentative ruling. The position shift stemmed from arguments proving imminent harm to farms and ranches due to being on probation. Filing for a TRO is the first battle against the SWRCD’s probationary designation of the Tulare Lake Subbasin (TLSB).
Being awarded the TRO highlights the significance of the KCFB’s case against the SWRCB and proves that the challenge has merit in court. “The judge’s decision to issue the TRO gives us great hope that receiving a temporary injunction in August is a real possibility,” said KCFB Executive Director Dusty Ference about what’s to come. This is a massive step towards undoing the SWRCB decision to place the TLSB on probation. With your help, we will win! Contribute to the SGMA Defense Fund and keep the SWRCB off your farm and out of your business.
Your entire investment goes toward this effort. Please make checks payable to: KCFB 870 Greenfield Ave. Hanford, CA 93230 About Kings County Farm Bureau Kings County Farm Bureau is a non-profit advocacy organization that represents approximately 450 members of the agricultural community. More information is available at www.kcfb.org.
