Welcome PRAAGS & PRO WATER EQUITY JOINT PUBLIC MEETING JAN. 7, 2014 PRAAGS & PRO Water Equity Jan....

WelcomePRAAGS & PRO WATER EQUITY JOINT PUBLIC MEETING

JAN. 7, 2014

PRAAGS & PRO Water Equity Jan. 7, 2014

Introductions

SUE LUFT PRO WATER EQUITY PRESIDENT

JERRY REAUGH PRAAGS CHAIRMAN


Both groups have come together by agreeing to a governance structure for the proposed Paso Robles Groundwater Basin. This structure will provide representation to landowners off all sizes including agriculturists and rural residents.

Agreement


Agenda WHERE WE ARE NOW RECENT NEWS THE AGREEMENT MOVING FORWARD


1. Do nothing and get a State mandated plan

Where We Are Now



“When a basin is at risk of permanent damage, and, after having been provided the needed authority, local agencies do not make sufficient progress to correct the problem in a timely manner; the state should have carefully-defined authority to protect the basin and its users until an adequate local program is established.”


2. Do nothing and get a County mandated plan

Where We Are Now




3. Pursue legal remedies via current or new lawsuits

Where We Are Now


A judge from somewhere in the State will . . .

Tell you how much water you are allotted Appoint a “Water Master” to administer the Basin

And you will:

Spend millions of dollars in attorney fees Wait for years, maybe even a decade to get a decision Have no more water available than you did when it started

Adjudication




3. Pursue legal remedies via current or new lawsuits

4. Create a locally managed water district to balance supply and demand

Where We Are Now


A locally managed governance structure to oversee the affairs of the basin

Landowners and registered voters vote for Directors

Landowners vote for Funding

Water District


Recent NewsDec. 5

◦PRO Water Equity and PRAAGS announce agreement on basic governance structure for proposed Paso Robles Basin Water District



Recent NewsJan. 6oRecognizing the urgency of a solution and need for compromise and cooperation, PRO Water Equity and PRAAGS announce further refinement of governance structure, including acreage categories and 9-member board of directors

The Agreement 9-member board of directors elected from throughout the district Separate slate of candidates for each director position Directors are split into two categories:

Directors elected directly by registered voters within the district

Directors elected according to land ownership


The voting structure of the first category will be as follows:

o 3 directors elected by registered voters within the districto One vote per registered voter

The Agreement


The voting structure of the second category will be as follows:

o Vote will be based on land ownership with one vote per acre owned

o Landowners will only vote in one of the three classes listed below

o 2 directors elected by “small” landowners (total of >0 to <40 acres)

o 2 directors elected by “medium” landowners (total of 40 to <400 acres)

o 2 directors elected by “large” landowners (total of 400+ acres)

The Agreement


Eligibility To vote:oLandowner votes shall be cast by one of the owners of the deed, a current trustee if the land is owned by a trust or a designated officer if the land is owned by a corporation

To run:oThe directors must be landowners within the district and must live within the district boundaries or within two miles of those boundaries or within the City of Paso Robles or the service areas of the Atascadero Mutual Water Company, Templeton CSD, San Miguel CSD or Shandon CSA-16


The voting structure will be used for all future elections of the Board of DirectorsThe formation vote will be conducted per Water Code with landowners voting based on acreageThe proposed district would have the ability to enact enhanced AB 3030 powers (Water Code Sections 10750-10755.4)The intent of the district will be to manage and balance the basin.

The Agreement


Moving ForwardExisting petition will be withdrawn from LAFCO

New, revised petition will be refiled for two reasons:oThere is likely to be some redrawing of district linesoWe will be changing some wording to make language in the Special

Legislation match language in the LAFCO petition

PRAAGS and PRO Water Equity will jointly review the district map to determine what changes to the boundaries are needed

PRAAGS and PRO Water will jointly work on the initial funding plan for the district with the assistance of the Flood Control and Water Conservation District staff


Moving ForwardSpecial legislation must go through the county’s legislative platform

Development of the district will still require working with SLO County LAFCO and special legislation

The LAFCO process will offer additional opportunities for the public to weigh in

A revised petition will be circulated to obtain signatures for holding an election to form the Paso Robles Basin Water District


Learn More At:

PRAAGS.ORG

PROWATEREQUITY.ORG


QUESTIONS & ANSWERS


Welcome PRAAGS & PRO WATER EQUITY JOINT PUBLIC MEETING JAN. 7, 2014 PRAAGS & PRO Water Equity Jan....

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