OPV Coalition et al vs Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency et al

Case Number

VENCI00555357

Case Type

Hearing Date / Time

Fri, 04/11/2025 - 10:00

Nature of Proceedings

Joint Motion to Update and Add Parties

Tentative Ruling

On March 17, 2025, plaintiffs OPV Coalition, et al., defendant Saticoy Properties, and certain non-parties filed their motion to: (1) substitute into the action certain entities that have acquired ownership of property previously owned by current parties to this adjudication, as is permitted by under Code of Civil Procedure section 368.5; (2) dismiss from this action, under Code of Civil Procedure section 581, subdivision (c), certain parties that no longer own land or farming operations affected by this adjudication; and (3) add certain entities as plaintiffs by way of intervention under Code of Civil Procedure sections 387, subdivision (d)(1)(A). The motion states that following a meet-and-confer process no party opposes the motion.

No party has filed opposition to the motion. On March 28, 2025, defendant Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency (FCGMA) filed a response to the motion. FCGMA expressed its concern regarding the potential future “double counting” of newly intervening operator defendants with current landowner defendants. FCGMA reports that plaintiffs have represented that they will not seek such “double counting,” and FCGMA’s non-opposition is made in reliance upon such representation. The court notes FCGMA’s response. Insofar as this “double counting” issue is not now presented as a dispute and reserving FCGMA’s right to address this issue should it arise in the future, the unopposed motion will be granted.