Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Water Groundwater topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board approves $298,000 Paso Basin feasibility study over public objections
Summary
The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors voted 3–1 to hire a consultant for a roughly $298,000 feasibility study to assess using State Water Project supplies for recharge in the Paso Basin after a heated exchange with public commenters who urged spending on projects rather than more studies.
The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors on a 3–1 vote approved a contract to fund a $298,000 engineering feasibility study to examine whether State Water Project supplies could be used to recharge the Paso Basin.
Supporters, led by Supervisor Gibson, said the modest study is a necessary step to evaluate supply options identified by the Paso Basin Coordinating Committee and to inform later decisions. “We are not voting on a solution today. We're voting on a study of feasibility,” Supervisor Gibson said, asking the board to move forward so the committee can continue coordinated work.
Opponents, including several residents who live in or near the Paso Basin, urged the board to halt spending on another study and instead invest in on-the-ground stormwater capture, pond covers or direct projects. “Why aren't these studies being used? Why isn't the $300,000 being spent on a project?” resident Greg Grewal said, noting multiple past reports covering similar issues.
During discussion, some supervisors said prior studies exist and emphasized the board should avoid duplicative work. Others argued a balanced approach — evaluating both demand reduction and supply increase — is required under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. The motion to approve the study was moved by Supervisor Gibson and seconded by Supervisor Ortiz Legg.
Roll call: Supervisor Gibson — yes; Supervisor Ortiz Legg — yes; Supervisor Paulding — yes; Chairperson Arnold — no. The contract was approved, with staff noting the scope of work is detailed in the agenda packet and will return as required for procurement and compliance steps.
The board’s action authorizes only a feasibility study; any later decisions to secure, purchase or inject state water would require additional approvals and environmental review as applicable. Members of the public who raised procedural and MOA concerns were advised that the study’s scope, budget and oversight are identified in Exhibit A and will be implemented under the terms of the contract and applicable agreements.
What happens next: The county will execute the contract and staff will manage the consultant scope and deliverables; any follow-up actions or funding decisions stemming from the study will return to the board for further action.
