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Moratorium on new wells in city extended 2 years 

Well drilling Update March 5, 2014: A moratorium on new wells in the city limits was extended for an additional 22 months this week by city leaders. The Paso Robles City Council voted unanimously to restrict new water from being pulled out of the Paso Robles groundwater basin.

The move comes in response to falling water tables in the region due to an extended drought. Large landowners and rural residents have joined forces to support a water district, an idea supported by the Paso Robles City Council, San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors and local Assemblyman Katcho Achadjian.

Read related stories:
Assemblyman introduces bill to advance formation of new water district
City’s water supply strategy is to draw from multiple sources of water

Original story Feb. 6, 2014: The Paso Robles City Council this week approved second reading of an ordinance that would establish an immediate 45-day temporary moratorium on the issuance or approval of permits for construction of new water wells or modification/rehabilitation of existing wells to increase groundwater extraction. The temporary moratorium took effect Feb. 4.

While most of the city is served by the municipal water system, there about 1,000 acres within the city limits that are irrigated by private wells.

The interim ordinance means the city shall not accept, process, approve or issue any permit application for the construction of a new well within the boundaries of the city; or accept, process, issue or approve any permit application for the modification, rehabilitation or reconstruction of an existing well that would increase the amount of groundwater capable of being extracted from the Paso Robles Groundwater Basin.

The basin is currently one of the main sources of water for the city’s water system, the others being an allocation from the Nacimiento Water Project and Salinas River underflow. The basin also serves as a primary source of water for communities and properties outside of the city.

The city’s staff report says due to a combination of factors, including extremely low rainfall in the last two years and increased demands on the basin, there are indications that water levels in the basin have been dropping.

In a separate move, the council last month amended the city’s local CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) rules to emphasize, clarify and enhance an existing requirement that any proposed development project involving annexation to the city or amendment of the General Plan for something not included in the Urban Water Management Plan must undertake a water supply needs assessment as part of its environmental impact assessment.

For example, a project that may require water not included in the city’s build-out water supply plan must be evaluated to analyze and document its water demands, sources of supply, and impacts on groundwater. In so doing the public, city council, and developer can be informed as to the existence, adequacy, and long-term availability and reliability of water to supply the project as well as impacts, if any, on groundwater.

The city’s water supply policy for projects not included in the Urban Water Management Plan is that they will purchase additional water from the Nacimiento Water Project to supply their needs, according to City Manager Jim App. They will not rely on groundwater, he said.

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About the author: Publisher Scott Brennan

Scott Brennan is the publisher of this newspaper and founder of Access Publishing. Follow him on Twitter, LinkedIn, or follow his blog.