Hundreds show up to voice opinions on water basin at hearing
Hundreds attended a hearing about the Paso Robles Groundwater Basin District on Thursday night. Photo by Dick Mason.
LAFCO takes public comment on formation of Paso Robles Groundwater Basin District
– More than 500 people packed a Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) hearing on the formation of a water district for the Paso Robles groundwater basin at the Paso Robles Events Center Thursday night. LAFCO includes elected officials from several local municipalities, including Supervisors Frank Mecham and Bruce Gibson, and Atascadero City Councilwoman Roberta Fonzi.
The state’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) mandates that areas with critical overdraft do something to address the deficit or the state will step in and manage water use. Paso Robles was recently identified as in critical overdraft in a draft report from the state.
State and county water experts said local residents faced three options. They could form a water district, use the county’s flood control district, which is controlled by the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors, or allow the state to make decisions related to the management of the groundwater basin. After the staff presentations, the board heard more than four hours of public testimony.
LAFCO commissioners listen to hours of public testimony.
Speakers for and against forming a water district were evenly divided. Many opponents said they simply did not want government, “telling them what to do with their water.” Others said that the options were limited. Most agreed that local control was best, however, they disagreed how best to administer the local control. The audience cheered loudly for opponents of the district.
Jerry Lohr of J. Lohr Winery told the commission, “We at Lohr strongly support the district. Having been a builder and civil engineer for more than 50 years, I can’t tell you how much we appreciate the patience and the efforts of all of you at LAFCO and those volunteering on the commission in giving the community a chance to do what many other communities have done.”
Rancher Paul Clark said, “Nobody wants another agency or bureaucracy to contend with. We don’t want more regulations. We don’t want more operating costs. Thanks to the California Legislature, we now have no choice. We view the formation of the district as making the best of a bad situation.”
After the meeting Supervisor Frank Mecham told the Paso Robles Daily News, “Tonight was basically oriented to hear from the public. We wanted to hear what people had to say. I tried to keep track of things and it was basically split with those who were in support and those who were not. But I think there needed to be some clarification on the role of LAFCO and I think that was done. I’m pleased with the turn out and the civility. So, we’ll move on to the 17th.”
LAFCO tabled the discussion until Sept. 17. If the local district is formed, they will pass the proposal to the County Board of Supervisors which will schedule an election. The target date for that election is March 8, 2016.
Steve and Jerry Lohr confer as the LAFCO hearing begins it’s 5th hour. Crowds began to thin as the night went on. Photo by Dick Mason.
Don't do it. Limit governmental power by not creating ANOTHER government agency. I also don't trust the big wineries. They are only interested in what's best for their pocket book and not for the people/community.
Agreed! Please be aware that all the facts are not presented. When there are secrets and information is withheld – there is usually a reason…. not necessarily a good reason. It's not a good idea to have your water rights taken out from under YOUR property by outsiders that only seem to have an interest in making MONEY for THEMSELVES – NOT YOU. Seems like snakes in the grass to me. Water will come…. It's all a part of the natural cycle. This Agency can not magically make water appear in the basin.
We already have a Flood Control District and a Board of Supervisors … perhaps reducing the cost, redtape, and Fish and Wildlife's involvement in ponds, water retention basins, as well as other water storage ideas would be a better start. Also, the City should use Lake Nacimiento Water and quit pumping from the County water Basin. None of these ideas or a new layer of control will bring rain, but they will not create another new layer of control over our land and a new tax either.
Dear friends, It's not YOUR water. Nature put it there, not you, and in the Paso Robles basin it drifts around underground until somebody pumps it out. Years ago, California passed laws that made underground water the property of whoever pumped it, and too bad for your neighbor if his well wasn't as deep. But it was only a LAW, not a "GOD-GIVEN RIGHT", whether the land was your great-grandfather's or you bought it for a retirement vinyard. And now the law has changed, as laws do. My hunch is that working out a way to handle this resource for the continued benefit of the largest number of local residents will be the best for the community in the long run. Also, IMHO, combining ALL regional water-related governmental functions and resources makes the most sense. But it's your football!
Not true kind sir. If I find Gold on my property it is MINE. if I find oil on my property it is MINE.
The people with the most money will get control of the water and everyone else will suffer.
Rich, since you don't live here you don't know what is happening here. This is really about a few who want to sell water and us taxper payers will be paying to let them. Please people say no to a water district.
Don't do it. Limit governmental power by not creating ANOTHER government agency. I also don't trust the big wineries. They are only interested in what's best for their pocket book and not for the people/community.
Agreed! Please be aware that all the facts are not presented. When there are secrets and information is withheld – there is usually a reason…. not necessarily a good reason. It's not a good idea to have your water rights taken out from under YOUR property by outsiders that only seem to have an interest in making MONEY for THEMSELVES – NOT YOU. Seems like snakes in the grass to me. Water will come…. It's all a part of the natural cycle. This Agency can not magically make water appear in the basin.
We already have a Flood Control District and a Board of Supervisors … perhaps reducing the cost, redtape, and Fish and Wildlife's involvement in ponds, water retention basins, as well as other water storage ideas would be a better start. Also, the City should use Lake Nacimiento Water and quit pumping from the County water Basin. None of these ideas or a new layer of control will bring rain, but they will not create another new layer of control over our land and a new tax either.
Dear friends, It's not YOUR water. Nature put it there, not you, and in the Paso Robles basin it drifts around underground until somebody pumps it out. Years ago, California passed laws that made underground water the property of whoever pumped it, and too bad for your neighbor if his well wasn't as deep. But it was only a LAW, not a "GOD-GIVEN RIGHT", whether the land was your great-grandfather's or you bought it for a retirement vinyard. And now the law has changed, as laws do. My hunch is that working out a way to handle this resource for the continued benefit of the largest number of local residents will be the best for the community in the long run. Also, IMHO, combining ALL regional water-related governmental functions and resources makes the most sense. But it's your football!
Not true kind sir. If I find Gold on my property it is MINE. if I find oil on my property it is MINE.
The people with the most money will get control of the water and everyone else will suffer.
Rich, since you don't live here you don't know what is happening here. This is really about a few who want to sell water and us taxper payers will be paying to let them. Please people say no to a water district.