A study by the U.S. Geological Survey released last week reveals that increased groundwater pumping is sinking land in parts of the San Joaquin Valley faster, and more widely, than ever before measured. The area impacted stretches along the western side of the valley covering parts of Merced, Madera and Fresno Counties. The subsiding land area will potentially damage man-made structures and farming operations. Decreasing groundwater reserves will also create more hardship on Valley farms and towns, already struggling for water supplies, facing another drought year. Vic Bedoian reports from Fresno.