James Irrigation District filed a cross-complaint against all 840+ properties within MAGSA boundaries concerning a 1920 easement and water rights to the first 200 CFS from the region. This affects everyone from large growers to small residential property owners, churches, and the Raisin City School District. Landowners have 60 days to respond (with a 30-day extension already agreed upon). MAGSA will coordinate defense efforts and facilitate joint negotiations rather than prolonged legal battles.
The WaterSMART grant program continues showing excellent results with 90 landowners having received rebates totaling approximately $1 million. An additional 86 landowners are currently in the approval pipeline, representing 479 wells already enrolled and 383 wells ready for rebates. The program covers 945 total wells, and second-year monitoring fee rebates are now available for early participants.
The Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the water bank project is expected to be ready for management review within the next week. After final comments and a 30-day public review period, the project could come to the board for certification as early as September, allowing construction drawings to proceed.
Contact Information:
Phone: (559) 515-3339
Office: 275 S. Madera Avenue, Suite 301, Kerman, CA 93630
Next Meeting:
August 6, 2025, 2:00 PM at Kerman Community Center
Stay Informed:
Visit the MAGSA website for detailed meeting materials and monthly outreach reports. The agency maintains an open-door policy for questions about water management, rebate programs, or legal matters affecting the region.
