Ridgecrest Daily Independent
The fate of Searles Valley Minerals and Mojave Pistachios at least in terms of water may be decided at the groundwater authority meeting Wednesday.
The regular meeting is set for no earlier than 11 a.m. Wednesday. Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority officials will discuss how to respond to both companies failure to pay the IWVGA’s replenishment fee.
The topic will be discussed at two public hearings, but the meeting will be virtual, meaning the public cannot attend in person and participation has to take place via phone, email or letters.
Cutting off water service is one possible outcome for either or both of the companies, but not the only possibility. The IWVGA can also consider other options short of a cease and desist order, such as assessing penalties or pursuing unpaid fees in court.
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Gov. Kay Ivey plans to meet with legislative leaders this week to discuss options for prison construction, after the state passed a deadline to close on three new men s prisons.
The Department of Corrections and two private entities were supposed to close on the construction of three new men s facilities on June 1, under a contract signed earlier this year. The state would lease the new facilities from the companies.
Ivey said in a statement Wednesday morning that she would discuss the complexity of the process with House and Senate leaders, and explore additional/alternative options to fund the construction and maintenance of new prison facilities.