Written by Amanda Williams
Just when it seemed like California Democrats have mismanaged everything the state has to offer, they have managed to find another industry to destroy: the agricultural industry. Through the means of water supply, California Democrats plan to severely harm the San Joaquin Valley economy and moreover, their farmers.
Most farmers in the San Joaquin Valley source the water for their land through groundwater wells. The water is located beneath the farming soil and farmers use pumps to extract the water which they collect from the groundwater wells. Yet, California’s new Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) plans to inhibit the amount of groundwater used.
In an attempt to be more “sustainable” and prevent “other undesirable results,” California plans to force farmers to cut their groundwater amounts by about 40 percent over a span of 20 years. Effective next January, SGMA will put about 535,000 to 750,000 acres of farming land out of use because of the absurd water level standards demanded by California Democrats.
Interestingly enough, farmers are not upset about the attempt to become more sustainable. If anything, they support the concept. However, they are in total opposition to how California Democrats want to eradicate a $50 billion industry along with stripping them of their livelihoods for ridiculous water regulations. Furthermore, many farmers concur that the California government is completely underestimating the impacts of SGMA. While they promise to aid those affected by SGMA, many farmers have expressed that the government does not have a sufficient plan to live up to that promise.
Tulare County, a part of the San Joaquin Valley, has the most fear with regard to the enactment of SGMA. Tulare County is one of the most dependent counties on groundwater wells along with having one of the most fragile economies. The county currently faces a 9.2% unemployment rate. With Tulare County having a heavy farmer population, the rate will only skyrocket with the enactment of SGMA. In addition, SGMA will cause about one-third of Eastern Tule—a subsection of Tulare County—to retire its farming land. At the current pace, Tulare County’s already weakening economy is heading towards failure.
There are many alternative ideas being produced by farmers in order to survive before the 20-year timeline is up. Some districts have proposed construction projects that would allow more water to be imported. Some farmers want to resurrect the Hope Water District, which would facilitate the discussion of importing water in a legal setting. Others plan to use their land for solar energy as a way to mitigate the loss of income due to SGMA.
Regardless of alternative methods, there is no doubt that SGMA plans to severely damage the San Joaquin Valley. California Democrats are mismanaging water supply to the point where a whole economy will be reduced to nothing. If it was not clear that California Democrats have a specialty for mismanagement and a complete lack of common sense, it’s blatantly obvious now.
