Santa Margarita
Conjunctive Use Project
FLC Meeting Features Talk on Plan to Increase
Water Supply
Keith Lewinger and Jack Bebee of the Fallbrook Public Utility District (FPUD)
will present details of the Santa Margarita Conjunctive Use Project at an
upcoming meeting of the Fallbrook Land Conservancy’ (FLC). The meeting will be
held on Wednesday, October 28, at 5:00 p.m.. at the FLC’s Palomares House, 1815
S. Stage Coach Lane, and is open to the public.
The goal of the Conjunctive Use Project, a joint venture between Camp Pendleton,
the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, and FPUD, is to improve water supply reliability
for Fallbrook and Camp Pendleton by better managing the yields of the lower
Santa Margarita River. As part of the project the 1,384 acre property owned by
FPUD would be permanently preserved for passive recreational use to help protect
water quality in the river. The FLC’s Trails Council currently maintains an
extensive system of hiking and riding trails on this property through an
agreement with FPUD.
“This project could have important, positive environmental impacts for
Fallbrook,” said Wallace Tucker, FLC Chairman of the Fallbrook Land Conservancy.
“In addition to providing a much needed water supply, it will preserve and allow
continued public access to one of the most beautiful and significant natural
habitats in our area.”
Lewinger has been FPUD’s general manager since 1999, and has represented FPUD on
the San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors since 2001. He was also
chair of the Authority’s Water Planning Committee and currently represents the
San Diego County Water Authority on the Metropolitan Water District’s Board of
Directors. Bebee recently joined FPUD as the engineering and planning manager.
The Fallbrook Land Conservancy, a private nonprofit organization, owns and
manages 1848 acres of permanently protect open space in the area. For more
information on the meeting, Santa Margarita trails or ways to support the FLC,
or call (760) 728-0889.