Between 1990 and 2014, the amount of land devoted to growing wine grapes in Paso Robles increased nearly fivefold to 37,408 acres, as winemakers recognized the area's ideal conditions for producing flavorful red wines. Wines from Paso Robles have gained international recognition, rivaling the fame of Napa and Sonoma. However, California's recent drought has severely impacted the region, leading to lower grape yields and depleting the aquifer that serves as the primary water source for vineyards and residents in the area. As a result, many wells have run dry in Paso Robles. Some individuals, including large wineries and growers, have been able to afford drilling deeper wells in Paso Robles. This has caused tensions and raised concerns about the sustainability of the wine industry in the area. Cam Berlogar, who resides in the community of Creston, expressed his worry about the depletion of water resources, stating that "All of our water is being turned purple and shipped out of here in green glass." Unlike other states, California's regulations allow property owners to drill wells on their land without much restriction. Berlogar likened the situation to a competition for water, saying "It's a matter of who has the longest straw at the bottom of the bucket." The water level in his own well has dropped significantly over the past few years. Richard Sauret strolls through his Paso Robles vineyard, where he mentions that he uses minimal water for irrigation. This was stated in a Reuters article dated April 20, 2015. In August 2013, due to the water crisis, San Luis Obispo County supervisors implemented a temporary ban on new vineyards and other water-dependent projects. However, this two-year ban, set to expire soon, did not affect projects already underway, leading to continued expansion of grape acreage. Sauret, known for his water conservation practices in his Paso Robles vineyards, primarily relies on aquifer water for irrigation but is concerned about the depletion of this resource. Sauret expressed his frustration with the high demand for water, attributing it to vineyards and other factors. He noted that farmers will have to adapt to farming with less water due to the ongoing drought. In response to the water crisis, Governor Jerry Brown of California signed a set of bills last year that mandate groundwater-dependent areas to form local water sustainability agencies by 2017. These agencies will have several years to create and implement water management plans to address the issue. Some Paso Robles residents are concerned about the potential consequences of waiting too long to address aquifer depletion. A report for San Luis Obispo County projected that, even without any additional growth, the water drawn from the basin could exceed the amount going in by 1.8 billion gallons annually between 2012 and 2040. Hilary Graves, a fourth-generation farmer and winemaker, fears that if the issue is not managed properly within the next decade, it may become irreversible. She hopes to avoid following her family's history of being forced to migrate back to Oklahoma and Arkansas during the Dust Bowl. A water crisis in the region has led to disagreement among residents on how to address it. County supervisors approved the creation of a new water district with an elected nine-member board, but some fear that newcomers with money will control the board and burden local landowners with costly infrastructure projects. Susan Harvey, president of North County Watch, described the proposed district as "we pay, they pump." The people living in the area are especially worried about new arrivals who have political connections and a lot of money, such as Harvard University and the Resnick family. Harvard has invested over $60 million in buying land in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, while the Resnicks, known for FIJI Water and the Wonderful brand, bought Justin Vineyards & Winery in 2010 and later a ranch that was previously dry-farmed. The company is now planting grapes that require less water and plans to eventually switch to dry farming. Fifth-generation farmer Cindy Steinbeck, from Steinbeck Vineyards & Winery, is part of a group called Protect Our Water Rights (POWR) that is concerned about the new water agency in the region. Her organization is encouraging land-owners to participate in a quiet title action in order to protect their water rights, and prefers to have the courts involved in any water management plan for the basin. Steinbeck, a member of the group, stated that they are battling against larger corporations and their aim is to prevent small family farmers from being marginalized in Paso Robles. According to Jay Famiglietti, a senior water scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, this region will serve as a significant case study for implementing new regional oversight in other groundwater basins under high stress. The Paso Robles Agricultural Alliance for Groundwater Solutions (PRAAGS) has been instrumental in driving this initiative, with representatives from J Lohr Vineyards & Wines and individuals with ties to Harvard's property interests on its board. Additional backers of the new agency are Justin Vineyards and County Supervisor Frank Mecham, who approved its creation. Mecham acknowledges the community's worries about the agency but also recognizes the importance of water management. He shares a personal connection to the issue as his great, great grandfather lost his cattle ranch due to a drought. Mecham emphasizes the necessity of water management by stating, "You will be managed one way or another. You’ve got to pick your poison." Richard Sauret strolls through his vineyard in Paso Robles, California on April 20, 2015, explaining how he uses minimal water for irrigation. This demonstration of his irrigation system was captured by Reuters.