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Letters to the Editor

Paso Robles water district would be best for SLO County

Laurie Gage and Dave King finish installing signs supporting the creation of a water district in the North County. They are on San Marcos Road between Paso Robles and San Miguel.
Laurie Gage and Dave King finish installing signs supporting the creation of a water district in the North County. They are on San Marcos Road between Paso Robles and San Miguel. dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com

Here’s a thought: Would you rather own devalued land with water-use restrictions or join together to meet collective water needs? That’s essentially the question facing property owners.

Yes, forming a water district means paying fees and possibly supplemental water assessments. But the successful end result is enough water to supply our collective needs.

It’s easy to criticize the proposed water district — “just more government,” “another tax,” “let the state take over” — but it’s time to get real. Landowners have got to get organized to take care of business, and local control has proven time and again to succeed.

Forming the water district is the right thing to do, but it is not the main thing that needs to get done. The real job ahead lies in supplementing water supply where we can and conserving as we go, and landowners are best positioned to do this under the umbrella of a water district.

“Yes” on the water district. After 35 years of managing water resources, I stand with others who agree this is the best way to go.

Christine Halley, Paso Robles

This story was originally published February 25, 2016 at 4:24 PM with the headline "Paso Robles water district would be best for SLO County."

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