Council hears report on Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority; members and residents clash over communication and adjudication issues

Ridgecrest City Council on Aug. 6 heard a report on the Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority (IWVGA) and related public comments about the basin adjudication and communications.

Councilman Hayman summarized the Groundwater Authority meeting of July 16, 2025, saying the primary agenda item was discussion about launching a Facebook page to improve communications. “Basically, that entailed putting together a Facebook page for the GA to be able to communicate with the public,” Hayman said. Board members and members of the public raised both positive and negative aspects of a social-media presence, and the Authority decided to continue the discussion at a later meeting.

Hayman also reported brief updates from the water-resources manager including ongoing repairs at the Rademacher site and progress on Rose Valley well drilling. He said Rose Valley work is moving toward completion and the wells are being put into a monitoring phase after earlier drilling encountered rock and the drill site was adjusted. Hayman told council he would push for more details about seismic research mentioned by a presenter (described as monitoring and research into basin characteristics) at a future meeting.

Council members and staff discussed social-media risks and moderation. Councilman Blades argued social media can be an effective information-distribution tool if used without engagement and with comments turned off; other members urged consultation with legal counsel and moderation plans to reduce liability risks.

During public comment by telephone, two residents raised substantive concerns that related to the groundwater adjudication and the IWVGA’s actions. Caller Mike Sonant summarized a proposed statement of decision issued by Superior Court Judge William Kloster on July 28 in Phase 1 of the basin adjudication. He said the judge’s proposed findings included that federal-reserve water rights do not extend to non-reservation property and that water not serving a reservation’s primary purpose is not part of a federal reserve right. Sonant quoted City Manager Ron Strand’s Facebook post and criticized the Groundwater Authority and the city; he claimed numbers for water and money in disputes (remarks attributed to the caller) and urged residents to “demand accountability from the Groundwater Authority and the city of Ridgecrest.”

Another caller, Mike Neal, criticized city strategy and transparency on legislative efforts and on consultant-drafted assembly bills tied to the groundwater plan. He said he watched the court proceedings and argued the judge’s proposed decision undermines an all-or-nothing claim that the Navy “owns all the water” in the valley; Neal urged residents to support the local water district and voiced concern about legal strategies discussed by the city and GA.

Council members did not take formal action during the agenda item. Hayman said he would ask the GA for follow-up information on the seismic research and for more detail about well monitoring at the next meeting. No council votes or directives to sue or to appeal the judge’s proposed statement of decision were made at the Aug. 6 council meeting; public callers described possible appeals and legislative efforts but those would be actions outside today’s recorded council discussion.