NewsCalifornia News

Actions

California judge rejects water deal for major farm supplier

California-Water Deal Rejected
Posted

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A California judge has rejected a contract granting permanent access to U.S. government-controlled water for the nation’s largest agricultural water supplier. Environmentalists had blasted the deal with Fresno-based Westlands Water District as an arrangement designed to benefit corporate farm interests over environmental needs and taxpayers.

It was crafted during the Trump administration under then-Interior Secretary David Bernhardt, a former Westlands lobbyist. Westlands says its acted transparently and has not received special treatment.

A Fresno County Superior Court judge on Wednesday became the second judge to rule against Westlands. The first judge said Westlands moved ahead on the contract before all the details were finalized.

Bakersfield, CA

Weather

Daily Forecast

View Hourly Forecast

Day

Conditions

HI / LO

Precip

ThursdayThu

08/13/2026

Sunny

95° / 65°

1%

FridayFri

08/14/2026

Sunny

93° / 66°

3%

SaturdaySat

08/15/2026

Sunny

95° / 69°

0%

SundaySun

08/16/2026

Sunny

99° / 72°

0%

MondayMon

08/17/2026

Partly Cloudy

98° / 70°

0%

TuesdayTue

08/18/2026

Partly Cloudy

97° / 70°

0%

WednesdayWed

08/19/2026

Mostly Sunny

100° / 71°

0%

ThursdayThu

08/20/2026

Sunny

100° / 70°

0%