Butte County Democrats believe that Butte County surface water and groundwater are public resources that should be controlled by the people of Butte County. As we move toward the sustainable use of groundwater by 2040, as required by California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, Butte County Democrats believe that the choices affecting all residents must be made publicly and transparently, with all concerned parties involved. Equitable and
sustainable water use is essential for county independence and local stability. Public control of local water resources will ensure that all county residents benefit.

The Butte County Democratic Party...

• Believes water rights must be protected for all residents of Butte County to preserve our
economy, lifestyle, and natural resources.

• Recognizes we must protect the Tuscan Aquifer from outside interests because it is the
last remaining, healthy aquifer in California.

• Opposes privatization of our water, which most likely would result in selling our water to
entities outside of Butte County and making the shared natural resource less available to
and less affordable for county residents.

• Insists that any plan to construct a pipeline to bring Paradise Irrigation District water to
Chico be given full and transparent public consideration, including but not limited to,
costs associated with the project and the long term ownership of any “recharged” aquifer
water with this type of project.

• Insists that California Water Company makes good on the system improvements it uses
to justify its CPUC-approved customer rate increases.

• Values Butte County as a place of origin and oppose the transfer of water out of the
county except as a last resort.

• Insists on planning policies that account for climate change, which continues to limit
snowpack and the water available to residents of Butte County.

• In light of the outsized impact that nut tree crops have on local water resources,
encourages the planting of agricultural crops and agricultural practices that conserve
water.