Governor inks local water bill
September 17, 2014
Katcho Achadjian
Expressing concern over California’s future water supplies, Gov. Jerry Brown Tuesday signed legislation to create a structure for formation of a “hybrid” district to manage the Paso Robles basin, as well as a package of bills aimed at regulating basins all over the state.
A measure by Assemblyman Katcho Achadjian (R-San Luis Obispo), AB 2453, also broadens the powers the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) may use when creating a district. LAFCo is the proposal’s next step.
“Governor Brown’s signature on this legislation is the culmination of very lengthy discussions on how to manage the Paso Robles Groundwater Basin,” said the assemblyman following the governor’s action. “It is only with leadership from the Board of Supervisors and the city of Paso Robles, that we were able to create a framework for the water district that will now go before the public through the LAFCO process. I am very proud to say that this was a team effort.”
The hybrid concept is designed to give more people a voice in the formation and management of a future district, said Achadjian.
“While the district is not yet formed, I am pleased to know that the local residents will continue to have input in the LAFCO process prior to the formation of the district – because local control is the only way to properly manage our groundwater resources,” added the assemblyman.
AB 2453 will take effect on January 1, 2015.
The groundwater package Brown signed brings the state into line with the rest of the nation. Until now, groundwater basins have been under the purview of local entities and individuals, and severe over drafting has been occurring in many parts of the state.
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