At this point, he said, he uses about 30 percent of his land for farming and 70 percent for water. About Us - De Anza Properties All rights reserved. Farming runs deep in the blood of growers like Jeff and Karen Gilcrease. The Gilcrease family has been growing crops in Kings County since the 1880s. Water is a key variable smaller farmers have little to no control over. Less surface water forces growers to pay for deeper wells or additional water supplies particularly expensive during one of the worst droughts in recent state history. Doug Verboon, a Kings County farmer and member of the county board of supervisors, sounds weary when he talks about Kings Countys water. People complain all the time about whats happening with our water, but no one wants to do anything, he said. He Toppled Vince McMahon. The SDGs where we believe Sunridge can have the greatest impact are: We are a proud signatory to the Principles for Responsible Investment, the leading global proponent for incorporating Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles in investment activities. We amalgamate our water to use on our most productive land. Over the past 12 years, hes moved about 137,000 acre feet of his state water from Kings County south to nut orchards he owns on the west side of Kern, according to state and other water district records. From our farming company, growing partners, and all of our employees we pay attention to every detail of our almonds, from the orchards to the finished product. The plaintiffs, Kings County Ventures and Green. Water is our blood, he said, and theyre stealing it.. Everyone else is just pumping and pumping, he said. Sunridge Partners actively seek investment opportunities that address the growing challenges in food and agriculture. But the size of farms increased 14.5% from an average 559 acres to 640 acres. News, California Observers worry that Vidovich plans to pump Kings and Tulare counties dry, park that water in Kern County and then sell it to the highest bidder in dry years, leaving a once-thriving farm district barren. Validated processes that pasteurize the almonds are performed in-house. Sandridge has since installed coffer dams in the canal to dry a section in anticipation of cutting through the banks, but otherwise construction has stopped. But out in the Buena Vista Water Storage District where Vidovich chairs the board, his original detractors all love him, Page said. Boswell and Vidovich are also on opposite sides of whether Kings River flood water is being fully utilized by its rights holders. Designed with by Trinity Mobile Apps, use of the heavy equipment to stop the pipe project is not a protected tactic under the law., Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window), Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window), Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window), Gov.s proposed $40 million for farmland retirement is welcome but more needed, Boswell bulldozers allowed to stay put, blocking Kings County pipeline project, SJV Water about this new pipeline, Vidovich. Designed with by Trinity Mobile Apps, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window), Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window), Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window), From bulldozers to helicopters, Boswell-Vidovich battles continue, Jan. 17 letter to Tulare Lake Canal Company, Too little or too much, theres always controversy brewing over Kern River water, Kern River water heads north through flood channel but wont hit Tulare Lake yet, Kaweah River water managers prepare for more high water as the valley heats up, Vibration in Isabella Dam power plant causes temporary halt of Kern River outflows. 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He sold rights to more than 14,000 acre feet a year to the Mojave Water Agency in San Bernardino County for a headline-grabbing $73 million. Why work with Sunridge Partners. Related Story: Groundwater Plan Could Give Corcoran More of a Sinking Feeling. Though he did sell a chunk of water rights to southern California in 2009, Vidovich scoffed at the idea that hes currently selling water to the southland. Vidovich fires back: Kings Co. water pipeline battle picks up steam As the processing and sales branch of the organization, SunnyGem almonds are sorted, processed and sold to the wholesale ingredient industry. Vidovich made headlines - and a lot of enemies - in 2009 by permanently selling rights to 14,000 acre feet of state water from a Kings County water district to southern California for $73 million, according to media reports. Legally? But the letter continued to intrigue Chrissakis. With water from the delta becoming more unreliable, he said, farmers have to hoard land for the groundwater. The Blakeley runs southwest next to Highway 41 down to Kettleman City, conveniently near to the California Aqueduct. You may have never heard of John Vidovich, but his impact on the day-to-day life of the average southern San Joaquin Valley farmer is difficult to be understated. News, Latest We are one of the largest vertically integrated almond suppliers in the world. Number three, water from Angiola cant physically get to Semitropics proposed storage cells. The agencys role is simply to review groundwater plans to see if theyre adequate. In aprevious story about the Tulare Lake Subbasin groundwater plan, SJV Water noted that it included only vague outlines for how it planned to manage the areas overdraft and most pumping reduction plans wouldnt kick in until 2035, five years before SGMAs deadline. A single walnut requires nearly five gallons of water to produce. Now, Pace said, Vidovich will do the same thing on a larger scale by moving Kings and Tulare groundwater to Kern County. In addition to inshell and raw . Kings and Tulare farmers and water managers want to know. Weather. They are suing Angiola for what they say was Hurleys illegal takeover of the tiny Atwell Island Water District. Philipp holds a BA in Economics from Dartmouth College and an MBA from Harvard Business School.. SANDRIDGE PARTNERS, L.P. Company Number 201005600010 Status Active Incorporation Date 4 February 2010 (about 13 years ago) Company Type Limited Partnership - CA Jurisdiction California (US) Registered Address 920 WEST FREMONT AVE SUNNYVALE CA 94087 United States Directors / Officers JOHN VIDOVICH, LLC, general partner Inactive Directors / Officers But comments made during a hearing Monday on Sandridges restraining order pulled back the curtain on the real concern. Ghana Business News - The first place for your business news. Zakaria: These Revolutions May Help India Really Take off at Last, Future of California at Risk if CEQA Environmental Law Remains Unchanged, NBA Playoffs: Star-Studded Round 2 Has Big Names, Intense Rivalries. The state of California is at fault. Meet the water baron you (likely) haven't heard of - The San Joaquin But hes also moved his State Water Project supplies south to lands he owns in Kern County. And he served two terms on the Santa Clara County Planning Commission, appointed once in 1990 and he again in 2010, igniting controversy among activists concerned about sprawl. Groundwater agencies up and down the San Joaquin Valley had to file plans with the Department of Water Resources earlier this year showing how they will bring the areas seriously depleted aquifers into balance by 2040 per the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. If we had water transfers that we know dont mesh with an approved groundwater sustainability plan, thats going to be a problem for DWRs continued approval of those transfers, Nemeth said, adding that the department will be reevaluating its transfer program to add greater oversight and transparency. The website iswww.sjvwater.org. The association contends that those lands arent in the rivers service area.. Stephen Vidovich died in 2007, at the age of 81, driving a tractor near one of his remaining vineyards. The entire San Joaquin Valley, including Kings County, is critically over drafted. Angiola was rehabbing old wells, drilling new ones and installed a large pipeline. In addition to inshell and raw natural almonds, a state of the art processing facility provides manufacturing and roasting to your specifications. Often an equal amount of water splits south, wreaking havoc on farmland in the old Tulare Lake bottom, about 60 miles northwest of Bakersfield. The SDGs where we. Through Sandridge, Vidovich owns about 130,000 acres with 38,500 acres in Kern, 82,000 acres in Kings, 9,500 acres in Tulare and 300 acres in Fresno county, per ParcelQuest. The case is being heard in Kern County where now retired Judge David Lampe made a partial ruling last June that river owners are allowed to move their water. Exporting large amounts of water from one farm region to another and aggressively pumping groundwater both negatively affect other landowners. Proposition 1 is a $7 billion bond passed in 2014 that would pay for a host of projects from flood control to water quality. Home | DMCA | SJV Content Use | Contact, Copyright 2022 SJV Water. The project was ordered to remain in stasis until the issue comes back to court. Semitropic Water Storage District, in northwestern Kern, has raised a lot of eyebrows with its ambitious, some say audacious, Tulare Lake Storage and Floodwater Protection Project. His investment firm, Sandridge Partners, has amassed more than 100,000 acres of . The project would consist of a small reservoir, more like short-term storage cells, along the California Aqueduct just north of Kettleman City where floodwater off the south fork of the Kings River would be captured. Some of that state contracted water appears to have been used in multi-million dollar deals by Boswell, based on the few records that could be tracked, and some has gone to Sandridges own fields in other counties, according to the companys owner. LOIS HENRY: Water fight between 2 of Valley's largest growers heads to Its a $500 million project, of which Semitropic is hoping to get $250 million from Proposition 1 funding. So, if i cant make money on that water farming, I will sell it eventually to an urban area and thats a right I have. A 2020 groundwater sustainability report shows that over the previous five years, agriculture in Kings County relied on an average of about 319,000 acre feet from local rivers and streams, 475,000 acre feet from groundwater and just 37,000 acre feet of state water. True, Angiolas canal stops about 23 miles southeast of the project. Philipp was an investment professional at King Street Capital, a large hedge fund, where he led investments in real asset sectors throughout Europe. But when the Kings does flood, as its doing now, millions of acre feet rush north to join up with the San Joaquin River and empty into the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Page said Vidovich is a tough businessman but thats all. Philipp began his career at Goldman Sachs, where he advised public and private companies in European real estate, lodging and gaming sectors on strategic and financial matters. But everybody talks about it, and were all concerned.. Resnick also has lands just south of the Kings/Kern county line in Lost Hills and many of Vidovichs detractors believe thats where a lot of that Angiola groundwater is going. In contrast, John Vidovich, who helms Sandridge, comes from a Silicon Valley farming-turned-developer family. If their fears come true, the Los Angeles water grab in Owens Valley would pale in comparison. He often points out that water districts, which oversee water allocations and maintain infrastructure, are public entities, and the public has a right to information, as he told SJV Water in an interview for this story. The large, black pipe could be seen . (Vidovich said he didnt think Sandridge had hit 100,000 acres, total, yet.). First off, Hurley said, hes not Vidovichs henchman. A skill his detractors say hes used to maneuver water away from its rightful place to his own benefit. The canal company sued but couldnt immediately stop the project. SJV Water is a nonprofit, independent online news publication covering water in the San Joaquin Valley. Our stewardship and value creation track-record is unparalleled and our investing, operations and business . John Vidovich, ultimately, followed in his fathers footsteps after obtaining a law degree from Santa Clara University School of Law. Trenching for the pipeline was slated to cut under the Tulare Lake Canal in late January but the canal company, which is controlled by Boswell, made several demands. Its just smart business. The Boswell comments are ina letter sent from the El Rico GSA, while Vidovichs concerns are outlined ina letter from the Southwest Kings GSA. From ending poverty and hunger to climate change and sustaining our natural resources, food and agriculture lies at the very heart of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). SANDRIDGE PARTNERS | 16 followers on LinkedIn. Vidovich says his quote was clipped and sewn back together to make it sound bad. He and his son know their land so well they can point out which areas retain more water in which seasons and the direction the water moves underground. It wanted an operating agreement and hefty insurance coverage. Sandridge Partners plans new beef processing plant | John Lindt Will Pandemic Make or Break the Valley? The data show thats already happening. var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; By locking up the land, he said, Vidovich will be able to deny smaller farmers like him and Pace the water they need for their own operations. Will Political Reality Shape a Mighty Morro Bay Wind? The GSAs are supposed to set pumping limits to stop overdraft. You put 20 straws in it, it dont take very long.. Construction on a controversial water pipeline in Kings County has, once again, halted. Hugues Marchand is an investment professional with more than 15 years of principal investing experience, primarily in the infrastructure sector across Europe, North America and Africa. You dont know the purpose of this pipeline, Tulare Lake Canal Company attorney Leonard Herr told the judge. Every step would require environmental oversight, permitting and public hearings. Ag Giants Boswell, Vidovich Sling Mud at Each Other, Tulare Man Convicted on 20 Counts of Molesting Two Girls and a Boy, Big Raises for SCCCD Part-Time Faculty 'A Really Good First Step, But Just The First Step', Bud Light Sales Fall 26% as Transgender Backlash Worsens, Speaker Kevin McCarthy Blasts Russia Over 'Killing of the Children' in Ukraine, Its Farmers vs. His law license is inactive, according to the California State Bar Association website. It shows something about the thought process that we dont usually get to see, she said, wondering if the letter is a kind of smoking gun that exposes the true intent of the pipeline as a public project thats being hidden.. But those numbers reflect full contracted allocations. From 2002 to 2017, the most recent USDA farm census, the number of farms in Kings County declined 16.6%. Weve all seen it, said walnut farmer Steve Walker. He became more involved with De Anza, working with his dad, whom he describes as bigger than life.. Theres so many canals and ways it can move; its hard to track, he said. What is clear is that over the past 12 years, Boswell and Sandridge have moved a combined 239,000 acre feet of State Water Project water out of Kings County all with approval from the states Department of Water Resources (DWR). Court reverses $73.4 million verdict in Kings County land, water sale While the letter was improvident, attorney Whitney said, it certainly wasnt any kind of peak behind the curtain maintaining it wasnt an official indemnification by Angiola. Judge temporarily halts controversial Kings Co. water pipeline The Kings River Water Association, including the Tulare Lake Basin Water Storage District, where Boswell is the majority landowner, are fighting the plan tooth and nail. They have the original 1881 homestead certificate signed by a secretary in the James Garfield administration for 80 acres southeast of Lemoore, where they still live and farm. Enforcement could involve pumping limits, fines, and large pumping fees per acre-foot. But farmers Jack Mitchell and Milt Pace are upfront about their distaste for Vidovich and especially Hurley. Michael was a business development director for one of Sunridge Partners' portfolio companies. Regardless of Thursdays ruling, onlookers can expect it wont be the end of this issue. Number two, Angiola is trying to maintain the local aquifer by retiring land to limit pumping. The end result, though, is less water staying in Kings County. Not according to Jeoff Wyrick, Chairman of the El Rico GSA, the largest GSA in the Tulare Lake Subbasin. The difference, according to Vidovich, is Sandridge is letting some of its Kings County lands go fallow, while, he says, Boswell is pumping additional groundwater to continue farming its Kings County acreage. It might be legal, but its not moral, Karen said of water leaving Kings. Though Vidovich didnt feel state water movement would substantially impact Kings County farming, he still predicted farming will shrink there. After all, Vidovich, water and pipelines have a history in Kings County. Though he doesnt seek out media attention, when asked about water under his control, he rarely refuses to talk. We have also made a commitment to meaningfully contribute to and find solutions in our investments to the SDGs. The Kings River Water Association, including the Tulare Lake Basin Water Storage District, where Boswell is the majority landowner, are fighting the plan saying all available water is already being used. Click here to read all the comment letters on groundwater sustainability plans submitted to the Department of Water Resources. There is some uncertainty by El Rico GSA with regard to this request because of the hidden nature of Sandridges operations. It now retains about 132,000 acres in Kings as well as 3,700 acres in Tulare County and 23,000 acres in Kern County, according to ParcelQuest, a property information database. Groundwater and floodwater are two very different things. Looking back, he said he wouldnt make that sale today. var cx = '013080029684751512081:kj7d0adj7da'; We lose innovation., Still, Zetland didnt fault Sandridge or Boswell. Now Boswell is. The Water Board began holding hearings on the issue this past summer. Besides, Pace and others say, overreaching is another Vidovich hallmark. But its just a cover for taking water out, Pace said. Im at a loss to understand why Angiola would execute a hold harmless agreement, putting its funds at risk and opening the district to liability, but then says the pipeline isnt on our property so its not our project, Chrissakis said during Fridays hearing. DAILY DIGEST, 2/28: Boswell-Vidovich ditch bank battle continues DWR staffers now have two years to decide if the plans come up to snuff or not. Kings County Can Prosecute Woman in Fetus Death Case Over Becerra Objection, Proposed Agreement Could Boost Funds To Fix Friant-Kern Canal. Vidovich is gobbling up all the parcels he can so he can keep on pumping, Mitchell said. Vidovich, he said, is just the new water baron on the block, thats all. Stephen Vidovich retired but kept a watchful eye on the company, getting daily reports and giving advice, John Vidovich told the San Jose Mercury News after his fathers death. Sandridge sent a hold harmless letter and refused the rest. Semitropic has paid him $40 million for an easement and Vidovich would also get a cut of the flood water and be allowed to use the facilities to move groundwater, per the project contract. In an interview, Vidovich denied sending groundwater out of Kings County. Court Says Boswell's Heavy Equipment Can Block Pipeline Project for Now Most recently, Muriel started and successfully built her own hospitality business. Yes, critics agree, but Boswell uses that water to irrigate in the district. Hes serious about taking water out of this valley, Pace said. Vidovich dismissed the Boswell letter as throwing rocks to distract from the larger issue over-pumping. There, a company he controls, Sandridge Partners, grows . That act requires groundwater agencies in areas with critically over drafted water basins to draw up plans to bring aquifers into balance by 2040, meaning more water shouldnt be pumped out than goes back in. However, Vidovich has been somewhat of a welcome presence to some in Kings County. Right, smoke from local fires mutes the South San Joaquin Valley sky over I-5 and farms operated by . He does enough farming in the area to make it look like hes a farmer. Carol has been working with the Sunridge team since 2014. s.parentNode.insertBefore(gcse, s); The district plans to store flood flows on land next to the California Aqueduct, the main artery that moves water from northern to southern California, then pump it south. Water fight between two of Valley's largest growers heads to court SJV Water is an independent, nonprofit news site dedicated to covering water in the San Joaquin Valley. All rights reserved. Vidovich has said he only moves local groundwater to other lands he farms in Kings County. But water pipelines arent permitted or monitored by Kings County, according to the county Public Works Director, so its impossible to know if they stop at the county line. Get inside access to SJV Water by becoming a member. Both GSAs, along with three others in the Tulare Lake subbasin, submitted a single joint groundwater plan. Farmers in Giant Game of SGMA Dodgeball, Groundwater Plan Could Give Corcoran More of a Sinking Feeling, one submitted by the Angiola Water District, previous story about the Tulare Lake Subbasin groundwater plan, Westlands Again Is Eyeing San Joaquin River Water. Vidovich shrugged it off, saying the flaw amounted to putting the descriptions on the wrong pages and quickly appealed. None of that has been discussed yet, he stressed. David Avila is a talkative 75-year-old of Portuguese ancestry whose family first came to California in the 1840s and has been farming in the Hanford area since around 1900. When he brought the issue to the Kings County Water Commission in February 2020, it was tabled and the commission has not met since. After Vidovich sold his Dudley Ridge state water, Pace said he drilled several wells in Green Valley, built a pipeline across I-5 and took the valleys groundwater to keep his Dudley Ridge trees alive. Now, in the grip of yet another devastating drought, Kings County farmers like Walker want to know: Where is the water going? Independent farmers are selling out, said Kings County farmer Robert Smith, who grows walnuts, almonds, corn and cotton on about 1,000 acres. It specifically set aside $2.7 billion for water storage projects. U.S. That could trigger intervention by the State Water Resources Control Board, SGMAs enforcement arm. In 2016, the levees had to be built up another four feet. Lois Henry is the CEO/editor of SJV Water. When asked if he applies the skills he learned in his military intelligence training to his life today, he answers that we all use the things we learn through life. Digging a new well can cost tens of thousands of dollars, and as each farmer chases water deeper into the earth, it not only pushes others to go deeper, it undermines expensive efforts to recharge the aquifer.