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Recent allegations have circulated online, suggesting that Stewart and Lynda Resnick, a wealthy couple known for their agricultural business, are hoarding water necessary to combat wildfires in Southern California. Although they do possess significant water rights in the state, claims that they are obstructing firefighting efforts are unfounded. Here’s a deeper look into the situation.
Background on the Resnicks
Stewart and Lynda Resnick are the proprietors of the Wonderful Company, established in 1979. Their business portfolio features renowned brands such as Wonderful Pistachios, POM pomegranate juice, and Halo tangerines, all of which are agricultural investments that require substantial water resources. The company asserts its position as a major player in global food production, with a significant amount of produce cultivated in California.
A focal point of contention has emerged surrounding their majority ownership of the Kern Water Bank, an extensive underground reservoir located about 150 miles from Los Angeles, measuring 32 square miles in size. This facility has attracted scrutiny recently due to its vast water storage capacity, holding nearly 500 billion gallons of water, of which the Resnicks own approximately 57% of the rights.
Many on social media have inaccurately claimed that the couple controls 60% of the water supply in California. Such representations have sparked anger, with some attributing the struggles of firefighters to the alleged hoarding of water by the Resnicks. However, these assertions lack accuracy.
Understanding California Water Rights
In California, water rights are distributed among various entities, including municipal agencies, homeowners, and agricultural stakeholders. Rights holders do not claim ownership over the water itself but possess legal entitlements to its use. The California State Water Resources Control Board emphasizes that these rights constitute “legal permission to use a reasonable amount of water for beneficial purposes, like agriculture or industry.” Moreover, rights holders can sell their access to water resources.
Felicia Marcus, former chair of the California State Water Resources Control Board, notes that the state constitution includes protections against waste and unreasonable usage. Accordingly, should any individual or entity be found withholding water on a significant scale, state authorities have the power to intervene, possibly imposing usage restrictions or revoking water rights altogether.
Representatives of the Wonderful Company clarify that they only utilize the Kern Water Bank during drought conditions, contributing to less than 1% of California’s water consumption. According to Seth Oster, chief corporate affairs officer for the Wonderful Company, their water usage occurs within a cooperative framework comprising farmers and ranchers, all contributing to the production of healthy food.
Connection to Los Angeles-area Fires
During the recent wildfire outbreaks, the Resnicks’ water rights did not impede Los Angeles’ availability of water. In critical drought situations, the city might consider using water from the Kern Water Bank; however, current reports from the California Department of Water Resources state that local reservoirs in Southern California are experiencing water levels at or above historical averages.
Felicia Marcus explained that the challenges facing Los Angeles are not due to insufficient water supply. “What’s happening in L.A. is not because there’s not enough water in L.A. in storage,” she remarked. Instead, she pointed out that the urban water infrastructure is not adequately equipped to handle the intensity of firestorms.
While Marcus acknowledges the broader issues within California’s water system—including enforcement difficulties and complex regulations—she emphasized that these are unrelated to the current wildfire incidents. “There are issues with the water rights system in California… but they’re not connected to this fire,” she stated.
Source
www.cbsnews.com