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Podcasts Take Two
Calif. new groundwater law faces tough local opposition
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Nov 23, 2015
Listen • 6:29
Calif. new groundwater law faces tough local opposition
As of last year, there's a law to manage California's groundwater. But local and legal battles have thrown a wrench into the process.
Cannon Michael's farm grows tomatoes, melons and onions, among other crops. This year, however, Michael will have to fallow one-fifth of the land due to the drought
Cannon Michael's farm grows tomatoes, melons and onions, among other crops. This year, however, Michael will have to fallow one-fifth of the land due to the drought
(
Thomas Dreisbach/NPR
)

As of last year, there's a law to manage California's groundwater. But local and legal battles have thrown a wrench into the process.

When rain is in short supply in California, groundwater accounts for about 60 percent of all the freshwater consumed in the state.

Until recently, the state had no comprehensive plan on how to manage the precious resource. Meanwhile, pumping and drilling increased.

That's supposed to change under a law passed last year that seeks to regulate the state's groundwater for the first time in a century.

That process is fraught with challenges on the local level.

Ryan Sabalow with the Sacramento Bee joins Take Two with more.