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• Fire victim identified, was the mother of twin girls

• 'A lot of vitamin c'

• Pollution cleanup underway

• Locals say teachers often first to spot children in need

• Local suspect charged with 2 counts of murder in death of pregnant girlfriend

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• Mother, police search for three Tracy boys missing since weekend

• Regional Roundup

• North San Joaquin Water considering new tax; will appeal state actions

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February 8th, 2010

• Public Meetings

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February 6th, 2010

• The Home Depot hopes to join Costco at Reynolds Ranch

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• Several Lodi venues let you watch the Super Bowl in style

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February 5th, 2010

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• Stray bullet strikes Lodi home; police suspect gang activity may be factor

February 4th, 2010

• Managers at Geweke Toyota answer questions about recall

• Lodi City Council votes to replace play structure at Century Park

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• Mokelumne River triathlon set for June

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February 3rd, 2010

• Correction

• Regional Roundup

• Delta College trustees again collide over stipend committee

• Lodi-area senators Dave Cox, Lois Wolk admit to gifts; Tom Berryhill case pending

• Lodi Unified School District president issues warning to speakers over cuts

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February 2nd, 2010

• Big rig plows 7 cars

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• Jumpers across California

• Correction

• Regional Roundup

• No snow leopards, otters for Micke Grove

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February 1st, 2010

• Find cuddly alpacas not too far from Lodi

• Public Meetings

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The following stories have received the most reader comments during the last 7 days.

• Will terrorists be given Miranda warnings? (75)
• Lodi Unified School District president issues warning to speakers over cuts (64)
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• Many reject the politics of 'no' (45)
• Islamic symbol in mosaic — what is all the fuss? (44)
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• The Home Depot hopes to join Costco at Reynolds Ranch (41)
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• Tasered suspect claims he is Yosemite Sam (25)

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North San Joaquin Water considering new tax; will appeal state actions

A Lodi-area water district will appeal a state ruling that rescinded much of its water rights and is looking into a new tax to pay for equipment needed to produce a greater water supply for the area's groundwater basin.

Board members for the North San Joaquin Water Conservation District say they are looking into the idea for a tax because they will lose rights to Mokelumne River water unless they install equipment they cannot currently afford to purchase.

To acquire matching funds for state water grants that could upgrade its water system, district officials are exploring a new fee on property owners within the district, which includes central and eastern Lodi, plus rural areas east and north of Lodi.

The fee is being considered in the hope that the California Water Resources Control Board rescinds its recent action to remove North San Joaquin's right to most of its 20,000 acre-feet of Mokelumne water. The amount of the fee has not been determined.

The district has been entitled to 20,000 acre-feet during wet years, but North San Joaquin has had the ability to pump out only 3,200 acre-feet during any one year.

At a special meeting Tuesday morning at the Lodi Public Library, the North San Joaquin board agreed to formally appeal three actions taken by Water Resources on Nov. 30. They are:

• Removal of the right to 20,000 acre-feet from the Mokelumne River during wet years for allegedly taking too long to develop a project to use the water. The state is allowing the district to use the 3,200 acre-feet that North San Joaquin has been able to access from the river, plus another 1,000 acre-feet to be used in a pilot project funded by CALFED.

• A cease and desist order against pumping any water out of the river until a fish screen protecting salmon is installed on each side of the river.

• A $66,400 fine against the district for pumping water in 2003 through 2005 without fish screens.

According to Water Resources, pumping water without fish screens violated a condition imposed on North San Joaquin in its 1992 permit for the 20,000 acre-feet.

Karna Harrigfeld, attorney for the water district, will prepare legal information on a possible new fee on property owners, which the board may review in January. If a fee is contemplated, property owners will be notified, and a public hearing will be held.

Contact reporter Ross Farrow at rossf@lodinews.com.

First published: Wednesday, December 20, 2006