Board approves Paso Robles groundwater joint-powers authority after contentious public debate

The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors on Thursday authorized staff to proceed with creation of a joint-powers authority (JPA) to coordinate groundwater management across the Paso Robles Groundwater Basin, approving the step by a 3-2 vote after extensive public comment and a long exchange among supervisors.

Supporters said the JPA is a pragmatic next step for local agencies implementing the state's Sustainable Groundwater Management Act and will create a single governance body to coordinate fees and program administration across five existing groundwater sustainability agencies. Opponents warned the JPA could concentrate decision-making and fees in ways that would disadvantage small well owners.

Why it matters: The Paso Robles groundwater basin has been designated by the state as needing active local management to halt overdraft. The JPA is intended to allow the basin’s multiple local agencies to implement a single, coordinated Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) and — if needed — a single fee and program structure to fund monitoring, programs and voluntary demand-reduction incentives. Backers say a JPA makes it administratively easier to propose an extraction-fee program that can be presented to property owners for a Proposition 218 protest vote; opponents say the authority centralizes power and risks new charges on rural residents.

What the board decided - The board approved moving forward with a JPA authorization and accepted revised draft documents that staff circulated during the meeting to reflect recent consensus-building among the five local GSAs. The board also directed staff to conduct expanded outreach and return documentation showing public engagement before fee proposals are released. - Vote: Yes — Supervisor Gibson, Supervisor Paulding, Chair Ortiz Lake. No…