Farmers in southeastern Tulare County left hanging after their old groundwater agency disintegrated have new leadership but their path forward will not be easy.

Lisa McEwen

SJV Water

“We’ve got some serious issues to deal with and our groundwater sustainability plan will be brutal,” said Mike George, chairman of the new Tule East Joint Powers Authority Groundwater Sustainability Agency.

He told SJV Water he expects the new GSA will have to fallow at least half its irrigated land.

“I’m prepared for everyone to criticize me,” he said.

‘Some Say Our Chances Are Slim, Fat, and None’

The new Tule East GSA was created from lands left behind as water districts fled the Eastern Tule GSA. The exodus began after the state Water Resources Control Board put the region on probation in 2024 and s

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