By Drew Viguet
National Agricultural Law Center
U of A System Division of Agriculture
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Streams, ponds and lakes may be what come to mind when considering natural water sources, but one water supply that plays a crucial role in agriculture is located out of sight: Groundwater.
David Cameron, partner at Hanson Bridgett LLP, will present the first webinar in the National Ag Law Center's "Western Water" Webinar Series on June 19. (Image courtesy David Cameron)
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, groundwater is one of the nation’s most important natural resources, supplying about 37 percent of water that county and city water departments supply to households and businesses. It also provides drinking water to more than 90 percent of the rural population.
Because agriculture in the Western U.S. is often faced with challenges to water resources, groundwater levels become especially significant.
“Water is one of the most critical topics to monitor regarding Western agriculture,” Harrison Pittman, director of the National Agricultural Law Center, said. “Issues that impact water, including groundwater, impact all of agriculture. Out West, issues of drought, water quality, and more are not uncommon.”
“Groundwater recharge” — the movement of water from the surface to underground aquifers — is essential to resource sustainability. Drought, overuse and other factors can slow or stop that process. However, projects designed to foster effective groundwater recharge have been steadily emerging in the West. According to the California Department of Water Resources, groundwater recharge can be initiated “by diverting and conveying water to engineered infiltration ponds, spreading basins, flooding of agricultural lands, and injection wells.” These developments have legal consequences that extend far beyond the purchase of the property itself.
These legal considerations will be the focus of the NALC’s next webinar, “Groundwater Recharge: Legal and Strategic Considerations of Project Development,” presented by David Cameron, partner at California law firm Hanson Bridgett LLP. The presentation marks the first installment in the NALC’s “Western Water” Webinar Series, part of its long-term effort of expanding resources and partners to the Western U.S.
“Groundwater recharge, from a legal perspective, involves a complex interplay of regulatory frameworks, property rights, environmental considerations and financial constraints,” Cameron said. “This webinar will highlight many of these issues, including water right constraints, water quality concerns, storage considerations and competing stakeholder interests related to project development.”
The webinar will be held June 19 at 11 a.m. Central/Noon Eastern. Registration is no cost and available online.
“This new series on ‘Western Water’ will feature invaluable speakers and insight into crucial topics for Western U.S. agriculture,” Pittman said. “David brings much expertise in water law. He’s a great presenter to kick off this new series, and groundwater recharge projects are an important topic to cover.”
For information about the National Agricultural Law Center, visit nationalaglawcenter.org or follow @Nataglaw on X. The National Agricultural Law Center is also on Facebook and LinkedIn.
For updates on agricultural law and policy developments, subscribe free of charge to The Feed, the NALC’s twice-monthly newsletter highlighting recent legal developments facing agriculture.