Tehama County moves toward implementing groundwater usage fees

TEHAMA COUNTY, California — The majority of Tehama County residents could have new fees on the way for the water they use after the county approved a new ordinance establishing fees for groundwater extraction and administration of local basins.

“The money has run out and it’s time for us to, like many other jurisdictions, to fund this through our local resources,” said Matt Hansen, chair of Tehama’s Board of Supervisors on the fees.

Hansen explained the ordinance is the latest step in a process the county started in 2014 following the state’s passing of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. The SGMA requires each county take steps to mitigate lowering ground water levels. At the time Tehama received a number of grants to assist the process. However 12 years later, Hansen said the funding is on it’s last leg.

A map provided by the Tehama County Water Control District outlining the sub basins under their management. All property owners within the borders could see the new fees. Map provided by Tehama County.

Hansen said county officials were concerned if the county did not create their own management structure the state could come in and determine the fees themselves.

“The state has fees published which are $300 per well and $20 per acre foot,” said Hansen. “Which is substantially more than the county is proposing.”

Fees will be charged in two forms, through a flat administrative fee and a per acre of ground water used for farmers in areas of concern for groundwater level. That first level includes anyone within the sub basins managed by Tehama County’s Water District. From property owners in towns like Red Bluff to rural farmers.

“Everybody that drinks water in the county, well within the sub basins, that has a house, pays property tax on that parcel, will be assessed on that value,“ said Hansen.

Farmer’s across Tehama County will see the highest rates of all users, with a 100 acre almond farm expected to pay around $2,400 annually. KRCR file photo.

According to Hansen residents within a city like Red Bluff will likely see around a $5 fee annually. While a rural home would see around $20 a year and a 100 acre almond farm could see close to $2,400 annually. Despite the steep difference for growers, Hansen insisted it is the cheaper option compared to state control.

“It’s a tough decision because if we do nothing we open the door for state intervention, and it could be much worse for our community,” he said. “You know, maybe not on the domestic user but certainly on our ag industry.“

Letters will be going out in the proceeding month to impacted residents with their expected annual fee. There will be an opportunity to protest those fees at a public meeting July 20, 2026.