Paso Robles Moratorium on New or Expanded Irrigated Crop Production

global warmingThere are currently several communities in California that have halted new wells and vineyards. Paso Robles passed a moratorium due to dry wells from newly created vineyards going in their dry, water scarce region. Homeowners couldn’t afford to drill as deep as winery interests so many tried to sell their properties. It became a crisis and their Supervisors were forced to act. The first 2 year moratorium was extended 22 months.

Here is the original moratorium imposed on irrigated crops.
Link to full text: http://www.slocounty.ca.gov/Assets/PL/PR+Groundwater/prfinalord.pdf
ORDINANCE NO. 3246
AN URGENCY ORDINANCE OF THE COUNTY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA ESTABLISHING A MORATORIUM ON NEW OR EXPANDED IRRIGATED CROP PRODUCTION, CONVERSION OF DRY FARM OR GRAZING LAND TO NEW OR EXPANDED IRRIGATED CROP PRODUCTION AND NEW DEVELOPMENT DEPENDENT UPON A WELL IN THE PASO ROBLES GROUNDWATER BASIN UNLESS SUCH USES OFFSET THEIR TOTAL PROJECTED WATER USE, INCLUDING CERTAIN EXEMPTIONS……