County Farm Bureau supports Joint Powers Authority for Paso Robles basin
Bureau stated it believes in ‘participating in the local, state, and federal regulatory and governing processes through informed and constructive dialogue’
– The San Luis Obispo County Farm Bureau issued a statement supporting the newly formed Joint Powers Authority as the management structure for the Paso Robles Groundwater Basin under the California Sustainable Groundwater Management Act.
Paul E. Clark, executive director of the Farm Bureau, released the statement. The organization supports and defends sustainable production agriculture across the county, including small vegetable farms, cattle ranches and large vineyards.
“Our underlying principles have always been: protect private property rights; reduce or limit taxes and fees; reduce regulatory burden; maintain local control of our destiny; and create public awareness of the realities of food production in California,” the statement read.
The Farm Bureau stated it believes in participating in the local, state and federal regulatory and governing processes through informed and constructive dialogue. Based on those principles, the group expressed its support for the Joint Powers Authority, citing it as the most efficient and cost-effective way to comply with SGMA and to help ensure adequate water in the basin for all beneficial users, now and in the future.
The Farm Bureau also affirmed its continued commitment to three specific objectives:
- De minimis and livestock users will not pay fees toward the management of the basin or toward projects intended to increase groundwater availability.
- Basin management should operate efficiently to keep SGMA compliance rates as low as possible.
- Water supply projects will be reviewed individually based on their cost and benefit.
