San Joaquin County Plans Eminent Domain for Water Reservoir
According to an article on Recordnet.com, "Water fight goes to court," San Joaquin County water officials are planning to use their eminent domain powers to take thousands of acres of ranch land for a proposed reservoir. Officials say the project -- called MORE WATER -- is needed to satisfy the County's growing population and to reduce dependence on wells which are depleting the groundwater supply.
The County recently filed a lawsuit in order to gain access to the ranchers' property to conduct surveys and drill test holes. 14 of the 16 landowners have granted the County permission to access their property.
Whether this project ultimately gets off the ground is still in question. Some are skeptical of the project given the shortage of water supply. A timeline on the MORE WATER Project website suggests that construction of the project will not begin until 2015.
