As organizations committed to both the health of our region’s ecosystems and the well-being of our communities, we feel compelled to respond to SLO County 4th District Supervisor Jimmy Paulding’s recent editorial regarding the Lopez Dam lawsuit (“‘Scorched earth’ tactics,” Dec. 12). While we respect the supervisor’s concerns for water security, his characterization of the lawsuit as “scorched earth” is dramatized for political effect, misleading, and fails to recognize the decades of scientific evidence, state and federal agency findings, and the urgent need to restore balance to Arroyo Grande Creek for the benefit of all—wildlife and people alike.
This legal action was not taken lightly. For 30 years, San Luis Obispo County has been warned by state and federal agencies about its failure to comply with the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The county’s ongoing operation of Lopez Dam has significantly degraded Arroyo Grande Creek’s critical habitat, blocking the migration of threatened South-Central California Coast steelhead and disrupting the natural flow patterns essential for their survival. Steelhead are not just an isolated species—they are a keystone species whose health reflects the broader vitality of our watershed, which in turn supports the entire region.
It is important to correct the misconception that this lawsuit jeopardizes water security. The recent court ruling does not threaten Lopez reservoir as a critical water supply. Instead, it requires the county to release water in a way that balances both ecological needs and community water use. Such balance has, to this point, been entirely overlooked.
The county has had decades to address these issues proactively and has made little progress. The habitat conservation plan mentioned by Supervisor Paulding remains incomplete due to county foot-dragging and inaction.
The court’s recent ruling reflects what many state and federal experts have confirmed for decades: The county’s current management of Lopez Dam is inadequate. The court recognized that the county’s arguments lacked sufficient data, contradicted the findings of state and federal agencies, and even conflicted with statements made by its own experts.
Far from being “scorched earth,” this lawsuit represents a measured and long-overdue effort to ensure that Lopez Dam operates in a manner that complies with environmental laws, restores vital habitat, and protects our region’s ecological legacy. We agree with Supervisor Paulding that collaboration is key, but true collaboration requires meaningful action and accountability—not decades of delay.
Rather than wasting taxpayer resources on legal battles to avoid environmental compliance, county leadership should strongly consider that the community’s best interest is served by committing to solutions that secure water for people while restoring the creek and its ecosystems. Both are essential for a sustainable future, and both are achievable.
We welcome Supervisor Paulding and his fellow board members to join us in crafting a solution. Δ
Benjamin Pitterle is the director of advocacy for Los Padres ForestWatch. To respond with a letter for publication, email it to letters@newtimesslo.com.
This article appears in Dec 19-29, 2024.