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The LOSG

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Goals focused on Basin Sustainability

1.     To support Basin management decisions through advocacy and fundraising that prioritize the long-term

     sustainability of the Basin.

Reason:  Evidence shows that seawater intrusion is continuing to move into the Basin as a result of very low water levels caused by long-term overdraft, made worse by low rainfall.  This is happening despite the Basin Plan for the Los Osos Groundwater Basin (Basin Plan) having been implemented for almost five years by the Basin Management Committee (BMC). After reviewing the BMC efforts as presented in Annual Monitoring Reports and related technical memoranda, we continue to see a need to advocate for policies and practices that prioritize stopping seawater intrusion and moving the Basin toward sustainability as quickly and affordably as possible. Currently, we're opposed to resorting to imported water because it is a more expensive water source than the Basin and will shift the focus of Basin management and limited resources away from preserving and restoring the Basin, putting its health and viability in greater jeopardy.  

2.     To support land use policies and practices through advocacy and fundraising that protect, preserve, and

     restore the Basin and resources that depend on it.

3.     To encourage the participation of, and provide a voice for, Los Osos home and business owners on

     Basin-related decision-making that affects their property interests and the futures of their families.  

4.     To empower a greater number of Los Osos residents and other stakeholders with information on the Basin      

     and how it can be preserved and restored.  

Reason: The sustainability of the Basin and other area resources require land use policies and practices that ensure the Basin and dependent resources are not harmed.  We believe the policies and practices the County is currently applying, and the policies it is proposing for the future to support new development will overtax the Basin and resources harming the long-term viability of both.  

To avoid harm and even loss of the Basin from further overdraft, we support criteria for approval of new development based on conclusive evidence that the Basin can sustainably support the added demand.  We are opposed to new development being approved on the basis of uncertain predictive hydrologic modeling (as currently proposed) and/or on the Basis of a retrofit-to-build conservation offset program (as is currently occurring) because neither assures a sustainable water supply for the current or proposed development, and the added demand can permanently harm the Basin.

The Los Osos Groundwater Basin Plan (Basin Plan) states that overdraft of the Basin due to inaccurate estimates of Basin sustainable yield may not be known for 15 years or more, too late to avoid harm to the Basin (Page 135).  This fact clearly shows why modeled estimates of “sustainable yield” should not be used as a basis for approval of development.  A retrofit program-- even one like the one presently in use requiring a 2:1 offset, uses conservation potential that may be needed to provide a sustainable Basin and water supply for the existing and already approved development. (We explain this further in our letter to the County Planning Commission and Coastal Commission and our letter to the Coastal Commission.)

Reason:  The long-term sustainability of the Basin will require long-term advocacy of a committed group of Los Osos citizens because the factors that challenge Basin sustainability today (e.g., the pressure to add unsustainable new development and decision making that relies to heavily on uncertain predictive modeling) will require long-term efforts to address. Recognizing this reality, we hope to build a group of concerned and informed citizens who know the issues and will work together now and in the future to protect, preserve, and restore the Basin and dependent resources.

Reason: We have been told by many Los Osos citizens, and even government officals and experts, that Basin-related documents are too voluminous and confusing to sift through and understand. This often results in stakeholders relying too heavily on consultant findings or opinions, and not being able to effectively participate in Basin-related decision-making, which can have a significant impact on our invaluable coastal resources and the lives and properties of the people who live here.  On our website we strive to make Basin-related information more available to stakeholders by highlighting and explaining key ideas and concepts in a non-technical way, breaking down issues into manageable chunks, and identifying information most likely to be relevant to stakeholders.  We also cite our sources, provide links to more detailed and technical material, provide the insights of experts we sponsor, and suggest other resource material for stakeholders who want to dig deeper into the issues.