INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 Y	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Amortized intangible assets:
Weighted Average Amortization Period (in years)	14
Gross Carrying Value	$ 13,257	$ 20,917
Accumulated Amortization	3,772	11,036
Net Carrying Value	9,485	9,881
Amortization of intangible assets	1,421	1,894	1,310
Unamortized intangible assets:
Perpetual water rights and other	3,229	3,221
Estimated future amortization expense related to intangible assets for the succeeding five years
2012	1,126
2013	1,100
2014	1,009
2015	955
2016	915
Thereafter	4,380
Hawthorne lease
Amortized intangible assets:
Gross Carrying Value		6,515
Accumulated Amortization		6,463
Net Carrying Value		52
Water pumping rights
Amortized intangible assets:
Gross Carrying Value	1,084	1,084
Accumulated Amortization	14	14
Net Carrying Value	1,070	1,070
Water planning studies
Amortized intangible assets:
Weighted Average Amortization Period (in years)	12
Gross Carrying Value	11,087	11,066
Accumulated Amortization	3,413	2,812
Net Carrying Value	7,674	8,254
Leasehold improvements and other
Amortized intangible assets:
Weighted Average Amortization Period (in years)	22
Gross Carrying Value	1,086	2,252
Accumulated Amortization	345	1,747
Net Carrying Value	$ 741	$ 505