The Santa Ynez River watershed provides critical habitat for species that depend on groundwater-supported stream flows, including endangered species such as steelhead. Unfortunately, unmanaged groundwater extraction in the watershed threatens the continued existence and recovery of these species.

As populations grow and climate change worsens, the stakes are only getting higher. Santa Barbara County has an opportunity to develop systems that better manage the County’s water while benefiting wildlife, landowners, water right holders and well owners. Acting proactively will ensure regional water security in the face of an uncertain climate future.

What’s at stake:

• People: The Santa Ynez River watershed covers 900 miles and provides water to two-thirds of Santa Barbara County residents.
• Wildlife: The river once supported the largest steelhead run in the region. Today, steelhead are federally endangered, and less than 10 adult steelhead have been counted in the Santa Ynez River for each of the last 18 years. 
• Water Supply: Groundwater and surface water are inextricably connected, and water demand is increasing while supplies stay the same. Management decisions surrounding groundwater today are critical to ensure sustainability tomorrow.

The opportunity: Update the County’s well permitting system to ensure groundwater pumping does not deplete surface water flows in the Santa Ynez River watershed.

As the governmental entity issuing local well permits, the County is best suited to safeguarding the Santa Ynez River and its tributaries, and by extension, the species that rely on these waterways, from the significant cumulative impacts of unmitigated groundwater pumping. California Coastkeeper Alliance has developed an actionable roadmap for the County to do just that, recommending specific actions and pathways to update its well permitting system to protect the watershed that County residents rely on.

Water sits at the intersection of affordability, public health, resilience, and economic growth – the very issues at the core of Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors mission. We are urging the Board and the County to fulfill its obligations to protect our environment and resources.