Between 1990 and 2014, the amount of land used for growing wine grapes in Paso Robles increased significantly to 37,408 acres, thanks to the area's ideal conditions for producing flavorful red wines. The wines from Paso Robles have gained international recognition, with one red blend from Saxum Vineyards even being named the "wine of the year" by Wine Spectator magazine in 2010. However, the ongoing drought in California has severely impacted the region, leading to lower grape yields and a depletion of the area's main water source, the aquifer. As a result, wells for both residents and vineyards have dried up in Paso Robles. Some wealthy individuals, including large wineries and growers, have dug deeper wells in Paso Robles, causing tensions and raising concerns about the sustainability of the area's wine industry. Cam Berlogar, a resident of Creston, expressed worry that all the water is being taken away for profit. Unlike other states, California's outdated laws allow property owners to freely extract groundwater, leading to a "survival of the fittest" situation, according to Berlogar, whose own well has seen a significant drop in water levels. Richard Sauret is seen walking in his Paso Robles vineyard in California on April 20, 2015, where he uses minimal water for irrigation. Despite a moratorium on new water-dependent projects in San Luis Obispo County in August 2013, which will end this summer, existing projects like Sauret's grape acreage have continued to expand. Sauret, known for his water conservation practices, still pumps water from the aquifer for irrigation and expresses concern about the possibility of the resource depleting. Sauret stated that there is an excessive amount of demand, with many vineyards being blamed for the situation. He expressed concern that many farmers will have to adjust to farming with significantly less water. Change is on the horizon, as Governor Jerry Brown signed a series of bills last year in response to the drought. These bills mandate that groundwater-dependent areas form local water sustainability agencies by 2017. These agencies will have several years to develop water management plans and then a couple of decades to put those plans into action. Some Paso Robles residents are concerned about the depletion of the aquifer and the potential consequences. A report for the county of San Luis Obispo projected that, even without any additional growth, the water drawn from the basin would exceed that replenishing it by 1.8 billion gallons annually between 2012 and 2040. Hilary Graves, a wine producer, is worried that if the issue is not managed soon, it could become irreversible. Graves, a fourth-generation farmer whose family migrated to California after the Dust Bowl, hopes to avoid having to retrace their steps back to Oklahoma and Arkansas. Residents are divided on how to address the water crisis, with county supervisors voting on creating a new water district governed by an elected nine-member board. Concerns arise about newcomers influencing elections and leaving local landowners with hefty infrastructure bills. Susan Harvey criticizes the proposed district as "we pay, they pump." The community is especially worried about wealthy newcomers with political connections, such as Harvard University and the Resnick family, who have made significant investments in land in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. The Resnicks purchased Justin Vineyards & Winery and a large ranch, while Harvard has acquired thousands of acres. Some residents, like Cindy Steinbeck, are part of groups like Protect Our Water Rights and are hesitant about a proposed water agency in the area. Her organization is encouraging landowners to participate in a quiet title action to safeguard their water rights and prefers to have the courts manage the basin's water. Steinbeck, a member of the group, stated that their objective is to protect family farmers in Paso Robles from being displaced by larger corporations. According to Jay Famiglietti, a senior water scientist at NASA, Paso Robles will serve as a significant example for other water-stressed groundwater basins looking to implement regional oversight. The Paso Robles Agricultural Alliance for Groundwater Solutions (PRAAGS) has been instrumental in driving this initiative, with board members from J Lohr Vineyards & Wines and individuals with ties to Harvard's property interests in the region. Other supporters in the district include Justin Vineyards and County Supervisor Frank Mecham, who supported the creation of the new agency. Mecham acknowledges the concerns of residents but also recognizes the importance of water management. His ancestors suffered losses due to drought, leading him to believe that some form of management is necessary. Mecham believes that residents must choose how they want to be managed. Richard Sauret strolls through his vineyard in Paso Robles, California on April 20, 2015, showcasing the irrigation system he uses that requires minimal water. This information was reported by Reuters.