The State - News from Nov. 19, 1986

Owners of 102,500 acres in the Westlands Water District have agreed to comply with the 1982 Reclamation Reform Act. That compliance by 132 farmers represents about 17% of the 600,000 acres in the sprawling district in western Fresno and Kings counties. However, James Ganulin, Westland’s general counsel, said that about 70% of the land is expected to be signed up before the effort is completed. The 1982 law raised the amount of land an individual can own and still receive inexpensive federal water from 160 acres to 960. The cost of water for acreage above that limit is to be increased. If farmers decide to abide by the old law, a “hammer clause” will take effect, charging them full cost for water to be used on land in excess of 160 acres.