Farms face ruin as groundwater law takes its toll

Farmer Amrik Singh Basra stands in his almond orchard in Madera County. Implementation of California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act has left farmers in some areas facing bankruptcy as they confront groundwater pumping restrictions that limit their ability to irrigate their crops.Almond grower Amrik Singh Basra stands outside his house in Madera County. Groundwater pumping restrictions have caused his land to lose value and his lender to call on $4 million in loans.