SB 955: Oroville Dam: Citizens Advisory Commission.

Existing law requires the Department of Water Resources to supervise the maintenance and operation of dams and reservoirs as necessary to safeguard life and property. Under existing law, the department operates the State Water Resources Development System, also known as the State Water Project, composed of the state water facilities, including Oroville Dam.

This bill would create the Citizens Advisory Commission for Oroville Dam within the Natural Resources Agency. The bill would require the commission to consist of specified members of state agencies or their designees, including the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency or his or her designee serving as chairperson. The bill would require the chairperson to invite persons appointed by specified local agencies to serve as members of the commission, as prescribed.

This bill would require the department to, among other things, provide the commission with onsite tours of the dam and its grounds and provide the commission with all information reasonably requested by the commission regarding the construction, rehabilitation or reconstruction, operation, maintenance, and management of the dam. The bill would set forth the organization and duties of the commission and would require the commission to meet as necessary to carry out the purposes and duties of the commission. The bill would require the commission to publish a report at least once every 3 years that provides, among other things, an overview of ongoing maintenance and improvements made at the dam and its site. The bill would prohibit the commission from making regulations or rules to bind operations at the dam.