Adam

This appeal concerns rights to groundwater contained in the Santa Maria Valley Groundwater Basin (Basin). The Basin suffered severe water shortages beginning around the 1930’s but the importation of water from outside the watershed and the local construction of dams and reservoirs relieved the historical water shortage. As a result, groundwater levels have been relatively stable for the last 30 years or so. Nevertheless, there is concern that aging reclamation facilities and growing population could lead to more shortages in the future. This litigation was commenced to identify and prioritize the water rights held by the many users of Basin groundwater. Most of the case was resolved by an agreement (Stipulation) among the Santa Maria Valley Water Conservation District (District), local cities and water companies (public water producers), and most of the owners of land overlying the Basin. The Stipulation contains a plan, referred to as a physical solution, which resolves conflicting water rights claims and allocates the various components of the groundwater (native groundwater, return flows of imported water, and salvaged water) among the stipulating parties. It also sets…