Farmers urge Yolo County to pause agricultural well permits amid water concerns

The Yolo County Board of Supervisors convened on July 8, 2025, to address pressing issues surrounding groundwater sustainability and agricultural well permits in the region. The meeting featured a series of public comments highlighting concerns over recent approvals of agricultural wells and the potential impacts on local water resources.

The session began with a speaker reflecting on the importance of understanding the values associated with Yolo County's groundwater management, emphasizing the need for comprehensive information to guide future decisions. This was followed by a call for a moratorium on new agricultural well permits in Hungry Hollow, where recent approvals of four large agricultural wells have raised alarm among residents. The speaker urged the Board to implement a more thoughtful permitting process that includes sustainable water management practices and monitoring systems.

Subsequent comments from local farmers echoed these concerns, with one farmer noting an estimated overdraft of 4,000 to 6,000 acre-feet from the Hungry Hollow Basin. He stressed the urgency of addressing water allocation fairly, particularly as new wells threaten the livelihoods of existing farmers. Another speaker advocated for a moratorium until a thorough analysis of the hydrological situation is completed, citing the need for additional data on groundwater levels and the implementation of metering for new wells.

Judith Redmond, a farmer and water policy advocate, presented four key points, including the necessity of a moratorium on new well permits, the installation of new monitoring wells, and the adoption of metering requirements for all new wells. She also referenced successful policies from other counties that could serve as models for Yolo County.

The meeting concluded with comments from John Fawcett, a water resource engineer, who critiqued the existing well permitting process. He highlighted discrepancies in the evaluations of new well impacts, suggesting that the current assessments do not adequately consider the unique hydrogeological conditions of the Hungry Hollow area.

Overall, the meeting underscored the critical need for a more sustainable approach to groundwater management in Yolo County, with multiple speakers advocating for immediate action to protect local water resources and ensure fair access for all stakeholders. The Board is expected to consider these recommendations in future discussions as they work towards a more sustainable groundwater policy.