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Supervisors approve Paso Basin land‑repurposing study amid farmowner concerns
Summary
The Board of Supervisors approved a voluntary ‘Miller Program’ study for irrigated land repurposing in the Paso Robles Groundwater Basin on Oct. 8 despite objections from some supervisors and residents who said small family farms could be disadvantaged; supporters said the program is voluntary and aimed at demand reduction.
The San Luis Obispo County Board on Oct. 8 approved a study contract to develop a multi‑benefit irrigated land repurposing program (the Miller Program) for the Paso Robles Groundwater Basin intended to reduce groundwater demand through voluntary incentives.
Supervisor Paulding, who represents the Paso area, described the program as an incentives-based policy to avoid regulatory burdens on irrigators and said staff and cooperatives in the basin broadly support the study. Opponents and several public commenters warned the program could penalize small family farms and could pave the way for future extraction fees. "I do still believe that we're penalizing our small family farms," a public commenter said.
In defense of the program, supporters told the board it is voluntary and intended as a tool to balance the basin while preserving local agricultural operations. "There's nothing in this program that would even create the basis for that fee," Supervisor Paulding said during the debate. "This program is entirely voluntary," he added.
The board approved the item on a roll-call vote (Gibson, Ortiz Legg, Paulding — yes; Pashong, Chairperson Arnold — no). The motion advances funding for a consultant study that will design the voluntary program; any future regulatory or fee proposals would require further board action and (where applicable) environmental review.
What’s next: staff will work with groundwater sustainability stakeholders and the consultant to produce program design options for further board consideration and public review.
