California is still barred from collecting pumping data and charging water extraction fees against farmers in the Tulare Lake Subbasin.

The ruling on Aug. 20 by Kings County Superior Court Judge Kathy Ciuffini extends the court’s temporary restraining order issued in mid-July.

The Kings County Farm Bureau sued to block the state from implementing probationary action against those in the subbasin. That ruling came as the State Water Resources Control Board determined that the region’s plan to sustainably manage its groundwater is inadequate.

The local Farm Bureau had hoped for a preliminary injunction from the court, pending outcome of its lawsuit against the state, according to Dusty Ference, executive director of the Kings County Farm Bureau.

Instead, the court’s order extends its original temporary restraining order until Sept. 13.

“While we would have liked to have gotten a ruling today, KCFB appreciates Judge Ciuffini’s attention to detail and careful consideration of this monumental decision,” Ference said in a prepared statement.

Ference said the lawsuit targets the reasons for the state’s decision to put the subbasin on probation, which set in place the order to collect pumping data and charge extraction fees.

Plaintiffs are arguing that local control already exists, and the state should not be charging additional fees.

Related:Court bars Calif. from action on Kings farmers

To date, KCFB has spent over $170,000 to battle the state’s decision under the State Groundwater Management Act.