The short version of why this effort was formed: our fundamental rights to water, a natural resource, are being stress-tested. While formally disputed after judicial review, the Paso Groundwater Basin has been classified by the State of California as unsustainable. Greater than 90% of the water drawn from the basin is used for agriculture and vineyard operations--each of which provide valuable economic and employment benefit to SLO County. However, residential property owners with their own wells, the sum of which pump a mere 2% of the water extracted from the Paso Basin, may be required to pay for management and reporting necessary to comply with State mandates for basins classified as higher priority. How we collectively respond to this perceived crisis will signal our tolerance of bureaucratic control over natural resources of private, "de minimis" landowners, further encroaching into private property rights.

A fee structure is currently being evaluated. While de minimis users (those pumping 2-acre-feet or less per year) are not currently being considered, we're not completely off the hook yet.

Sign up below to be notified immediately about opportunities to get involved, and to oppose fees for residential property owners if considered. 

Contact NorthCountyResidents@gmail.com to get more information about this effort.