An Open Letter Urging an Equitable and Representative Voting Structure for the proposed Cuyama Valley Groundwater Sustainability Agency
The working group to form the Cuyama Valley Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) is currently meeting with the goal of establishing the guidelines for the GSA. These parameters will be included in a Joint Powers Authority that will create the Cuyama Valley GSA. The GSA will consist of 6 entities: 4 California counties-Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Ventura, and Kern, the Cuyama Water District(formed by large agricultural interests in the eastern part of the Cuyama Valley) and the Cuyama Community Service District, a small service district within the boundaries of the New Cuyama townsite.
The GSA will be responsible for developing one or more Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSPs) for the Cuyama Valley. The working group is now deciding on the proposed voting structure for the GSA. It was initially proposed as one vote per entity, but the Cuyama Water District is now lobbying for their District to have a disproportionate and inequitable 5 votes on the proposed GSA.
The final working group meeting is scheduled for February 22, 2017, when a voting structure will be negotiated among the GSA entities. This is a closed meeting not open to the public. Following March 10, 2017 when the Cuyama Water District board is seated, this matter will come before the Board of Supervisors of each of the participating counties for a vote in preparation for the June 1, 2017 filing deadline to submit to the State for approval by June 30, 2017.
Our strong recommendations as concerned citizens, residents, and constituents of the Cuyama Valley are the following:
- We request that all participating Counties support the position of Santa Barbara County to ensure a truly equitable voting structure for the GSA that protects the interests of all stakeholders, not favoring one group, and provide adequate checks and balances needed to achieve the most desirable Groundwater Sustainability Plan possible.
- We request that the capacity to finance the establishment of the GSA does not by itself permit weighted voting within the GSA; that many other factors must be included when discussing weighted voting such as governmental representation of state recognized disadvantaged communities, affected residents and landowners within the basin, as well as environmental, conservation, and recreational interests.
- We request that residents be assured of voting representation on the GSA, and that this be stipulated in the Joint Powers Authority that will form the GSA.
We therefore ask the Supervisors of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Ventura and Kern Counties to actively support the development of an equitable voting structure that provides equal voice to all residents and interests in the Cuyama Valley.
Sincerely,
The undersigned, residents, stakeholders, and constituents of the Cuyama Valley.
Updates
February 20, 2017
ive been trying to get a straight answer from the working group about why they think a lopsided vote is fair but its been total radio silence. it feels like they are hoping if they ignore us long enough the whole thing will just blow over.
February 20, 2017
i cant believe how many people are signing on to fight for a fair vote in the valley. the momentum is real and it shows how much we all care about our water future.
38 Comments
We are multi-generation landowners and full time residents of Cottonwood Canyon in the Cuyama Valley. We support a fair and equitable voting structure for the GSA that gives voice to the residents and communities of the Cuyama Valley.
Water is a shared resource, and everyone should have a say in how it's being used
Cannot let the largest historical abusers of groundwater regulate future groundwater use - there will be no more groundwater.
It is imperative that residents of New Cuyama have representation in GSA via the Cuyama Community Services District (CCSD).
It is critical to equitable water use and honest approach to sustainability for ALL stakeholders to be adequately represented in any GSA outcomes.
Very happy to see this initiative.
I am a property owner in the Cuyama Valley
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via . Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
By signing, you accept iPetitions Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Copy link or share directly
An Open Letter Urging an Equitable and Representative Voting Structure for the proposed Cuyama Valley Groundwater Sustainability Agency
The working group to form the Cuyama Valley Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) is currently meeting with the goal of establishing the guidelines for the GSA. These parameters will be included in a Joint Powers Authority that will create the Cuyama Valley GSA. The GSA will consist of 6 entities: 4 California counties-Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Ventura, and Kern, the Cuyama Water District(formed by large agricultural interests in the eastern part of the Cuyama Valley) and the Cuyama Community Service District, a small service district within the boundaries of the New Cuyama townsite.
The GSA will be responsible for developing one or more Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSPs) for the Cuyama Valley. The working group is now deciding on the proposed voting structure for the GSA. It was initially proposed as one vote per entity, but the Cuyama Water District is now lobbying for their District to have a disproportionate and inequitable 5 votes on the proposed GSA.
The final working group meeting is scheduled for February 22, 2017, when a voting structure will be negotiated among the GSA entities. This is a closed meeting not open to the public. Following March 10, 2017 when the Cuyama Water District board is seated, this matter will come before the Board of Supervisors of each of the participating counties for a vote in preparation for the June 1, 2017 filing deadline to submit to the State for approval by June 30, 2017.
Our strong recommendations as concerned citizens, residents, and constituents of the Cuyama Valley are the following:
- We request that all participating Counties support the position of Santa Barbara County to ensure a truly equitable voting structure for the GSA that protects the interests of all stakeholders, not favoring one group, and provide adequate checks and balances needed to achieve the most desirable Groundwater Sustainability Plan possible.
- We request that the capacity to finance the establishment of the GSA does not by itself permit weighted voting within the GSA; that many other factors must be included when discussing weighted voting such as governmental representation of state recognized disadvantaged communities, affected residents and landowners within the basin, as well as environmental, conservation, and recreational interests.
- We request that residents be assured of voting representation on the GSA, and that this be stipulated in the Joint Powers Authority that will form the GSA.
We therefore ask the Supervisors of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Ventura and Kern Counties to actively support the development of an equitable voting structure that provides equal voice to all residents and interests in the Cuyama Valley.
Sincerely,
The undersigned, residents, stakeholders, and constituents of the Cuyama Valley.
Updates
February 20, 2017
ive been trying to get a straight answer from the working group about why they think a lopsided vote is fair but its been total radio silence. it feels like they are hoping if they ignore us long enough the whole thing will just blow over.
February 20, 2017
i cant believe how many people are signing on to fight for a fair vote in the valley. the momentum is real and it shows how much we all care about our water future.
38 Comments
Living in the Nipomo foothills we have experienced the severe draught of the last 6 years. The health of the Cuyama Valley groundwater affects us all. We've had a great winter, but no one can predict the future except to say it will be unpredictable. Uncontrolled pumping of Cuyama groundwater is settindg a dangerous precedent.
We are multi-generation landowners and full time residents of Cottonwood Canyon in the Cuyama Valley. We support a fair and equitable voting structure for the GSA that gives voice to the residents and communities of the Cuyama Valley.
Water is a shared resource, and everyone should have a say in how it's being used
Cannot let the largest historical abusers of groundwater regulate future groundwater use - there will be no more groundwater.
It is imperative that residents of New Cuyama have representation in GSA via the Cuyama Community Services District (CCSD).
It is critical to equitable water use and honest approach to sustainability for ALL stakeholders to be adequately represented in any GSA outcomes.
Very happy to see this initiative.
I am a property owner in the Cuyama Valley
Help this petition grow
Share it with friends to help reach 100 signatures.
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via .
Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
Signing with Google or Facebook verifies your signature instantly — no email needed.
By signing, you accept iPetitions Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Petitions like this
Other petitions you might want to support
Scan to share
Anyone who scans this can sign the petition.
Living in the Nipomo foothills we have experienced the severe draught of the last 6 years. The health of the Cuyama Valley groundwater affects us all. We've had a great winter, but no one can predict the future except to say it will be unpredictable. Uncontrolled pumping of Cuyama groundwater is settindg a dangerous precedent.