Receive a 60-day update on actions taken by staff in regard to the moratorium on the approval of new agricultural well permits in the Yolo Subbasin Groundwater Agency (YSGA) Focus Areas since October 7, 2025. (No general fund impact) (Fieseler/Meneghetti)

Receive a 60-day update on actions taken by staff in regard to the moratorium on the approval of new agricultural well permits in the Yolo Subbasin Groundwater Agency (YSGA) Focus Areas since October 7, 2025.

Background

On August 26, 2025, the Board of Supervisors adopted Urgency Ordinance No. 1576, which imposed a temporary 45-day moratorium on the approval or issuance of well permits for new agricultural, non-exempt wells located within the Yolo Sustainable Groundwater Agency's (YSGA) designated Focus Areas of the Yolo Subbasin.

On October 7, 2025, the Board of Supervisors adopted Ordinance No. 1577, an urgency ordinance extending the temporary moratorium for up to an additional 10 months and 15 days (through August 25, 2026) to, among other things, allow time to better understand the impacts of land use changes, particularly the hardening of groundwater demands with increased conversion of land in the Focus Areas to perennial crops, on the sustainability of groundwater supplies. Urgency Ordinance No. 1577 further narrowed the scope of the moratorium to wells located within the Focus Areas.

At the October 7, 2025 meeting, the Board directed staff to provide regular 60-day updates on the actions taken by staff in regard to the temporary moratorium.  This report is the first such update.

Actions Taken Since October 7, 2025

A.  Replacement Well Exemption

On November 4, 2025, the Board approved an amendment to the temporary moratorium to add an exemption for replacement wells. This amendment was developed by staff following the public hearing to consider the extension of the moratorium and adoption of Ordinance No. 1577 on October 7, 2025. At the public hearing, concerns were raised regarding the ability of landowners and farmers to timely replace existing wells that may fail or need replacement while the moratorium is in effect, which could in turn result in public safety, health and welfare concerns. Although the moratorium contains a hardship exemption, the delay with such a process for replacement wells may leave property without a well to irrigate existing crops. Such replacement wells may be necessary to sustain existing agricultural operations and would not impose an increase on existing groundwater demands if the replacement well is of similar pumping capacity to the existing well, and the permit contains a condition prohibiting the applicant/owner from converting agricultural lands to perennial crops while the moratorium is in effect.

B.  Agricultural Well Permitting Working Group

At the August 26, 2025, Board of Supervisors meeting, the Board directed staff to form an Agricultural Well Permit Working Group. Staff recommended that the Working Group members consist of representatives from YSGA, Yolo County Farm Bureau, Yolo County well drillers, Focus Area landowners, and subject-matter experts from UC Davis. The purpose of this Working Group is to review possible changes to the Yolo County Well Ordinance regarding well permitting within the YSGA Focus Areas and to provide recommendations on possible changes to Yolo County Environmental Health (YCEH) staff. YCEH staff will then present these recommendations to the Board of Supervisors for consideration.

On November 6, 2025, YCEH convened the first meeting of the Agricultural Well Permitting Working Group. The meeting was well attended, with Focus Area landowner representatives participating from both small and large agricultural operations and from the various parts of the County encompassed by the Focus Areas. (See Att A for the sign-in sheet.)

During this initial meeting, staff provided an overview of the agricultural well permitting process since the issuance of the Governor’s first drought-related Executive Order in 2022. Staff also outlined the purpose of the Working Group, the key topics that will be addressed, and expectations for future meetings. Several participants expressed concerns with any long-term limitations on crop conversions, while others emphasized a need to obtain better data on current groundwater extractions and impacts before approving additional wells.

Working Group members expressed interest in hearing directly from the YSGA at the next meeting related to the scope of YSGA's authority over groundwater pumping. The next Working Group meeting is scheduled for December 4, 2025. The YSGA has agreed to participate in that meeting and will present information on SGMA, the role and authority of the agency, and their ongoing work.

Staff has collaborated with the Yolo Subbasin Groundwater Agency, the Office of County Counsel, and the County Administrator's Office.