Water groups presenting details of water district
PRAAGS, PRO Water host meeting Monday to present water district plans
On Monday, Jan. 13, PRAAGS and PRO Water Equity will host a joint public meeting to present the two groups’ agreement on the proposed Paso Robles Basin Water District to the community. The meeting will be held at the Estrella Warbirds Museum in Paso Robles at 6 p.m. A previous meeting was held on Jan. 7, and the groups have scheduled a third meeting for Jan. 22 at Pear Valley Vineyards from 10 a.m. to noon. Attendees can expect a brief presentation about the agreement, the governance structure for the water district, and the path forward, followed by a question-and-answer session.
The final agreement provides for nine board members to fairly represent the region. “A nine-member board of directors has been chosen since the larger board better reflects the diversity of our area,” said Sue Luft, president of PRO Water and owner of 10 acres of land overlying the basin. ”Representation will be provided for all residents and landowners within the water district. The three landowner categories are more inclusive, allowing everyone’s voice to be heard.”
Landowners of fewer than 40 acres will elect two board members, landowners owning between 40 and fewer than 400 acres will elect two members, and those owning more than 400 acres will elect two members. Three members will be elected on a one-person-one-vote basis by popular vote.
“We believe this voting structure will give representation to landowners of all sizes, including agriculturalists and rural residents,” said Dana Merrill, vice chairman of PRAAGS and owner of Mesa Vineyard Management. “There will be provisions for local residency and land ownership while all eligible voters will vote for the three popularly elected members.”
The water district will have the ability to obtain supplemental water and could implement water management through an AB 3030 management plan, as both groups previously agreed to.
“We really believe that we should find local solutions managed by local board members in a manner that can avoid litigation as a primary goal,” said Jerry Reaugh, chairman of PRAAGS and owner of Sereno Vista Vineyard. “It is possible to balance water rights with sustainable management and supply options as we move forward.”
Development of the district will still require working with San Luis Obispo County’s Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) and special legislation. PRAAGS, with support from PRO Water, will circulate the final petition to obtain signatures for holding an election for forming the district. If the petition gains enough signatures and represents a majority of acreage in the region, LAFCO can review and determine if it will approve the request for election. Concurrently, the groups are formalizing legislation to mirror the provisions of the petition.
The groups envision communicating with all stakeholders in the basin and with elected and other government officials throughout the process. The LAFCO process will offer additional opportunities for the public to be involved in the process and to provide its input.
“We are pleased that our respective groups have come together,” said Merrill, “but widespread consensus is a major goal for both groups.”
Luft expressed hope that this cooperative effort will lead to great progress in balancing the basin for all users in the near future.
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