Existing law requires the Department of Water Resources to update every 5 years the plan for the orderly and coordinated control, protection, conservation, development, and use of the water resources of the state, which is known as The California Water Plan. Existing law requires the department to include a discussion of various strategies in the plan update, including, but not limited to, strategies relating to the development of new water storage facilities, water conservation, water recycling, desalination, conjunctive use, and water transfers, that may be pursued in order to meet the future needs of the state. Existing law requires the department to establish an advisory committee to assist the department in updating the plan.

This bill would revise and recast certain provisions regarding The California Water Plan to, among other things, require the department to expand the membership of the advisory committee to include tribes, labor, and environmental justice interests. The bill would require the department, as part of the 2033 update to the plan, to update the interim planning target for 2050, as provided. The bill would require the target to consider the identified and future water needs for all beneficial uses and ensure safe drinking water for all Californians, among other things. The bill would require the plan to include specified components, including discussions of environmental needs, urban sector water needs, and agricultural water needs, and a discussion of the estimated costs and benefits of any project type or action that is recommended by the department within the plan that could help achieve the water supply targets. The bill would require the department to report to the Legislature the amendments, supplements, and additions included in the updates of the plan, together with a summary of the departments conclusions and recommendations, in the session in which the updated plan is issued. The bill would also require the department to conduct public workshops to give interested parties an opportunity to comment on the plan.

Under existing law, the State Water Resources Control Board and the 9 California regional water quality control boards regulate water quality. Existing law requires each regional board to formulate and adopt water quality control plans for all areas within the region, as provided.

This bill would require the department to offer the regional water quality control boards opportunities to provide input to assist the department in updating the plan.

Existing law requires the Department of Water Resources to update every 5 years the plan for the orderly and coordinated control, protection, conservation, development, and use of the water resources of the state, which is known as The California Water Plan. Existing law requires the department to include a discussion of various strategies in the plan update, including, but not limited to, strategies relating to the development of new water storage facilities, water conservation, water recycling, desalination, conjunctive use, water transfers, and alternative pricing policies that may be pursued in order to meet the future needs of the state. Existing law requires the department to establish an advisory committee to assist the department in updating the plan.

This bill would revise and recast certain provisions regarding The California Water Plan to, among other things, require the department to expand the membership of the advisory committee to include tribes, labor, and environmental justice interests. The bill would require the department, as part of the 2028 2033 update to the plan, to establish a long-term water supply update the interim planning target for 2050, as provided. The bill would require the target to consider the identified and future water needs for all beneficial uses and ensure safe drinking water for all Californians, among other things. The bill would require the plan to include specified components, including discussions of environmental needs, urban sector water needs, and agricultural water needs, and a discussion of the estimated costs and benefits of any project type or action that is recommended by the department within the plan that could help achieve the water supply targets. The bill would require the department to report to the Legislature amendments, supplements, and additions included in the updates of the plan, together with a summary of the departments conclusions and recommendations, in the session in which the updated plan is issued. The bill would also require the department to conduct public workshops to give interested parties an opportunity to comment on the plan.

Under existing law, the State Water Resources Control Board and the 9 California regional water quality control boards regulate water quality. Existing law requires each regional board to formulate and adopt water quality control plans for all areas within the region, as provided.

This bill would require the department to offer the regional water quality control boards opportunities to provide input to assist the department in updating the plan.

Existing law requires the Department of Water Resources to update every 5 years the plan for the orderly and coordinated control, protection, conservation, development, and use of the water resources of the state, which is known as The California Water Plan. Existing law requires the department to include a discussion of various strategies in the plan update, including, but not limited to, strategies relating to the development of new water storage facilities, water conservation, water recycling, desalination, conjunctive use, water transfers, and alternative pricing policies that may be pursued in order to meet the future needs of the state. Existing law requires the department to establish an advisory committee to assist the department in updating the plan.

This bill would revise and recast certain provisions regarding The California Water Plan to, among other things, require the department to instead establish a stakeholder advisory committee and to expand the membership of the advisory committee to include tribes, labor, and environmental justice interests. The bill would require the department to coordinate with the California Water Commission, the State Water Resources Control Board, other state and federal agencies as appropriate, and the stakeholder advisory committee to develop a comprehensive plan for addressing the states water needs and meeting specified long-term water supply targets established by the bill for purposes of The California Water Plan. department, as part of the 2028 update to the plan, to establish a long-term water supply target for 2050, as provided. The bill would require the plan to provide recommendations and strategies to ensure enough water supply for all designated beneficial uses. target to consider the identified and future water needs for all beneficial uses and ensure safe drinking water for all Californians, among other things. The bill would require the plan to include specified components, including a discussion of various strategies that may be pursued in order to meet the water supply targets, a discussion of discussions of environmental needs, urban sector water needs, and agricultural water needs, and an analysis of the a discussion of the estimated costs and benefits of achieving any project type or action that is recommended by the department within the plan that could help achieve the water supply targets. The bill would require the department to submit report to the Legislature an annual report between updates to the plan that includes progress made toward meeting the water supply targets once established, as specified. amendments, supplements, and additions included in the updates of the plan, together with a summary of the departments conclusions and recommendations, in the session in which the updated plan is issued. The bill would also require the department to conduct public workshops to give interested parties an opportunity to comment on the plan and to post the preliminary draft of the plan on the departments internet website. plan.

Existing law requires the Department of Water Resources to update every 5 years the plan for the orderly and coordinated control, protection, conservation, development, and use of the water resources of the state, which is known as The California Water Plan. Existing law requires the department to include a discussion of various strategies in the plan update, including, but not limited to, strategies relating to the development of new water storage facilities, water conservation, water recycling, desalination, conjunctive use, water transfers, and alternative pricing policies that may be pursued in order to meet the future needs of the state. Existing law requires the department to establish an advisory committee to assist the department in updating the plan.

This bill would revise and recast certain provisions regarding The California Water Plan to, among other things, require the department to instead establish a stakeholder advisory committee and to expand the membership of the committee to include tribes, labor, and environmental justice interests. The bill would require the department to coordinate with the California Water Commission, the State Water Resources Control Board, other state and federal agencies as appropriate, and the stakeholder advisory committee to develop a comprehensive plan for addressing the states water needs and meeting specified long-term water supply targets established by the bill for purposes of The California Water Plan. The bill would require the plan to provide recommendations and strategies to ensure enough water supply for all designated beneficial uses. The bill would require the plan to include specified components, including a discussion of various strategies that may be pursued in order to meet the water supply targets, a discussion of agricultural water needs, and an analysis of the costs and benefits of achieving the water supply targets. The bill would require the department to submit to the Legislature an annual report between updates to the plan that includes progress made toward meeting the water supply targets once established, as specified. The bill would also require the department to conduct public workshops to give interested parties an opportunity to comment on the plan and to post the preliminary draft of the plan on the departments internet website.

Existing law requires the Department of Water Resources to update every 5 years the plan for the orderly and coordinated control, protection, conservation, development, and use of the water resources of the state, which is known as The California Water Plan. Existing law requires the department to include a discussion of various strategies in the plan update, including, but not limited to, strategies relating to the development of new water storage facilities, water conservation, water recycling, desalination, conjunctive use, water transfers, and alternative pricing policies that may be pursued in order to meet the future needs of the state. Existing law requires the department to establish an advisory committee to assist the department in updating the plan.

This bill would revise and recast certain provisions regarding The California Water Plan to, among other things, require the department to instead establish a stakeholder advisory committee and to expand the membership of the committee to include tribes, labor, and environmental justice interests. The bill would require the department to coordinate with the California Water Commission, the State Water Resources Control Board, other state and federal agencies as appropriate, and the stakeholder advisory committee to develop a comprehensive plan for addressing the states water needs and meeting specified long-term water supply targets established by the bill for purposes of The California Water Plan. The bill would require the plan to provide recommendations and strategies to ensure enough water supply for all designated beneficial uses. The bill would require the plan to include specified components, including a discussion of various strategies that may be pursued in order to meet the water supply targets, a discussion of agricultural water needs, and an analysis of the costs and benefits of achieving the water supply targets. The bill would require the department to submit to the Legislature an annual report between updates to the plan that includes progress made toward meeting the water supply targets once established, as specified. The bill would also require the department to conduct public workshops to give interested parties an opportunity to comment on the plan and to post the preliminary draft of the plan on the departments internet website.

Existing law requires the Department of Water Resources to update every 5 years the plan for the orderly and coordinated control, protection, conservation, development, and use of the water resources of the state, which is known as The California Water Plan. Existing law requires the department to include a discussion of various strategies in the plan update, including, but not limited to, strategies relating to the development of new water storage facilities, water conservation, water recycling, desalination, conjunctive use, water transfers, and alternative pricing policies that may be pursued in order to meet the future needs of the state. Existing law requires the department to establish an advisory committee to assist the department in updating the plan.

This bill would revise and recast certain provisions regarding The California Water Plan to, among other things, require the department to instead establish a stakeholder advisory committee and to expand the membership of the committee to include tribes, labor, and environmental justice interests. The bill would require the department to coordinate with the California Water Commission, the State Water Resources Control Board, other state and federal agencies as appropriate, and the stakeholder advisory committee to develop a comprehensive plan for addressing the states water needs and meeting specified long-term water supply targets established by the bill for purposes of The California Water Plan. The bill would require the plan to provide recommendations and strategies to ensure enough water supply for all designated beneficial uses. The bill would require the plan to include specified components, including a discussion of various strategies that may be pursued in order to meet the water supply targets and an economic analysis. targets, a discussion of agricultural water needs, and an analysis of the costs and benefits of achieving the water supply targets. The bill would require the department to submit to the Legislature an annual report between updates to the plan that includes progress made toward meeting the water supply targets once established, as specified. The bill would also require the department to conduct public workshops to give interested parties an opportunity to comment on the plan and to post the preliminary draft of the plan on the departments internet website.

Existing law requires the Department of Water Resources to update every 5 years the plan for the orderly and coordinated control, protection, conservation, development, and use of the water resources of the state, which is known as The California Water Plan. Existing law requires the department to include a discussion of various strategies in the plan update, including, but not limited to, strategies relating to the development of new water storage facilities, water conservation, water recycling, desalination, conjunctive use, water transfers, and alternative pricing policies that may be pursued in order to meet the future needs of the state. Existing law requires the department to establish an advisory committee to assist the department in updating the plan.

This bill would revise and recast certain provisions regarding The California Water Plan to, among other things, require the department to instead establish a stakeholder advisory committee and to expand the membership of the committee to include tribes, labor, and environmental justice interests. The bill would require the department, in coordination department to coordinate with the California Water Commission, the State Water Resources Control Board, other state and federal agencies as appropriate, and the stakeholder advisory committee to develop a comprehensive plan for addressing the states water needs and meeting specified long-term water supply targets established by the bill for purposes of The The California Water Plan. Plan. The bill would require the plan to provide recommendations and strategies to ensure enough water supply for all beneficial uses. The bill would require the plan to include specified components, including a discussion of various strategies that may be pursued in order to meet the water supply targets and an economic analysis. The bill would require the Director of Water Resources to provide an oral and written report annually to the relevant committees in the Legislature regarding the progress made toward meeting the water supply targets established by the department, department to submit to the Legislature an annual report between updates to the plan that includes progress made toward meeting the water supply targets once established, as specified. The bill would also require the department to conduct public workshops to give interested parties an opportunity to comment on the plan and to post the preliminary draft of the plan on the departments internet website.

Existing law requires the Department of Water Resources to update every 5 years the plan for the orderly and coordinated control, protection, conservation, development, and use of the water resources of the state, which is known as The The California Water Plan. Plan. Existing law requires the department to include a discussion of various strategies in the plan update, including, but not limited to, strategies relating to the development of new water storage facilities, water conservation, water recycling, desalination, conjunctive use, water transfers, and alternative pricing policies that may be pursued in order to meet the future needs of the state. Existing law requires the department to establish an advisory committee to assist the department in updating the plan.

This bill would revise and recast certain provisions regarding The California Water Plan to, among other things, require the department to instead establish a stakeholder advisory committee and to expand the membership of the committee to include tribes, labor, and environmental justice interests. The bill would require the department, in coordination with the California Water Commission, the State Water Resources Control Board, other state and federal agencies as appropriate, and the stakeholder advisory committee to develop a comprehensive plan for addressing the states water needs and meeting specified long-term water supply targets established by the bill for purposes of The California Water Plan. The bill would require the plan to provide recommendations and strategies to ensure enough water supply for all beneficial uses. The bill would require the plan to include specified components, including a discussion of various strategies that may be pursued in order to meet the water supply targets and an economic analysis. The bill would require the Director of Water Resources to provide an oral and written report annually to the relevant committees in the Legislature regarding the progress made toward meeting the water supply targets established by the department, as specified. The bill would also require the department to conduct public workshops to give interested parties an opportunity to comment on the plan and to post the preliminary draft of the plan on the departments internet website.

Existing law requires the Department of Water Resources to update every 5 years the plan for the orderly and coordinated control, protection, conservation, development, and use of the water resources of the state, which is known as the The California Water Plan. Existing law requires the department to include a discussion of various strategies in the plan update, including, but not limited to, strategies relating to the development of new water storage facilities, water conservation, water recycling, desalination, conjunctive use, water transfers, and alternative pricing policies that may be pursued in order to meet the future needs of the state. Existing law requires the department to establish an advisory committee to assist the department in updating the plan.

This bill would revise and recast certain provisions regarding The California Water Plan to, among other things, require the department to instead establish a stakeholder advisory committee, committee and to expand the membership of the committee to include tribes tribes, labor, and environmental justice interests, to prohibit a member of the committee from serving longer than the development of 2 updates, and to require the committee to meet a minimum of 4 times annually. interests. The bill would require the department, in coordination with the California Water Commission, the State Water Resources Control Board, other state and federal agencies as appropriate, and the stakeholder advisory committee to develop a comprehensive plan for addressing the states water needs and meeting specified long-term water supply targets established by the bill for purposes of The California Water Plan. The bill would require the plan to provide recommendations and strategies to ensure enough water supply for all beneficial uses. The bill would require the plan to include specified components, including a discussion of various strategies that may be pursued in order to meet the water supply targets and an economic analysis and a long-term financing plan. The bill would require the department to develop the long-term financing plan, as provided, to meet the water supply targets and include the final financing plan as part of each update. analysis. The bill would require the Director of Water Resources to provide an oral and written report annually to the Legislature, each year by May 1, relevant committees in the Legislature regarding the progress made toward meeting the water supply targets, targets established by the department, as specified. The bill would also require the department to conduct public workshops to give interested parties an opportunity to comment on the plan and to post the preliminary draft of the plan on the departments internet website. The bill would include findings and declarations relating to water supply and climate change.

Existing law requires the Department of Water Resources to update every 5 years the plan for the orderly and coordinated control, protection, conservation, development, and use of the water resources of the state, which is known as the California Water Plan. Existing law requires the department to include a discussion of various strategies in the plan update, including, but not limited to, strategies relating to the development of new water storage facilities, water conservation, water recycling, desalination, conjunctive use, water transfers, and alternative pricing policies that may be pursued in order to meet the future needs of the state. Existing law requires the department to establish an advisory committee to assist the department in updating the plan.

Existing law requires the Department of Water Resources to update every 5 years the plan for the orderly and coordinated control, protection, conservation, development, and use of the water resources of the state, which is known as the California Water Plan. Existing law requires the department to include a discussion of various strategies in the plan update, including, but not limited to, strategies relating to the development of new water storage facilities, water conservation, water recycling, desalination, conjunctive use, water transfers, and alternative pricing policies that may be pursued in order to meet the future needs of the state.

This bill would make legislative findings and declarations and state the intent of the Legislature to enact future legislation that modernizes the California Water Plan, including the establishment of long-term water supply targets.

 VETO  

Bill No: SB 366

Author: Caballero (D), et al.

Enrolled: 9/3/24

Vote: 27

SENATE NATURAL RES. & WATER COMMITTEE: 11-0, 4/25/23

AYES: Min, Seyarto, Allen, Dahle, Eggman, Grove, Hurtado, Laird, Limón, Padilla, Stern

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: 7-0, 5/18/23

AYES: Portantino, Jones, Ashby, Bradford, Seyarto, Wahab, Wiener

SENATE FLOOR: 40-0, 5/31/23

AYES: Allen, Alvarado-Gil, Archuleta, Ashby, Atkins, Becker, Blakespear, Bradford, Caballero, Cortese, Dahle, Dodd, Durazo, Eggman, Glazer, Gonzalez, Grove, Hurtado, Jones, Laird, Limón, McGuire, Menjivar, Min, Newman, Nguyen, Niello, Ochoa Bogh, Padilla, Portantino, Roth, Rubio, Seyarto, Skinner, Smallwood-Cuevas, Stern, Umberg, Wahab, Wiener, Wilk

SENATE FLOOR: 40-0, 8/29/24

AYES: Allen, Alvarado-Gil, Archuleta, Ashby, Atkins, Becker, Blakespear, Bradford, Caballero, Cortese, Dahle, Dodd, Durazo, Eggman, Glazer, Gonzalez, Grove, Hurtado, Jones, Laird, Limón, McGuire, Menjivar, Min, Newman, Nguyen, Niello, Ochoa Bogh, Padilla, Portantino, Roth, Rubio, Seyarto, Skinner, Smallwood-Cuevas, Stern, Umberg, Wahab, Wiener, Wilk

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 68-0, 8/26/24 - See last page for vote

SUBJECT: The California Water Plan: long-term supply targets

SOURCE: California Council for Environmental & Economic Balance

California Municipal Utilities Association

California State Association of Counties

DIGEST:

This bill revises and recasts the contents of the California Water Plan, currently updated every five years by the Department of Water Resources (DWR), requires DWR to develop a long-term water supply planning target for 2050, establishes an interim target to develop an additional 9 million acre-feet (AF) of water, and requires that each plan update includes certain specified components.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. States that it is the established policy of the state that the California Water Plan (Water Plan), as amended, is accepted as the master plan which guides the orderly and coordinated development, management, and efficient utilization of the water resources of the state. DWR is required to update the Water Plan every 5 years. (Water Code (Wat. C.) §§10004 et seq.)
2. Requires DWR, as a part of updating the Water Plan, among other things, to:
   • 1. Establish an advisory committee, comprised of representatives of specified stakeholder groups, to assist DWR in the updating of the Water Plan. (Wat. C. §10004(b)(2))
     2. Conduct a study to determine the amount of water needed to meet the state’s future needs and to recommend programs, policies, and facilities to meet those needs. (Wat. C. §10004.6(a))
     3. Include in the plan a discussion of strategies to meet the state’s future water needs.
        
3. Requires DWR, one year before issuing each update to the Water Plan, to release a preliminary draft of the assumptions and other estimates upon which the study will be based, for review and comment. Current law prescribes a broad list of subjects on which DWR is required to release those assumptions and estimates, including topics such as hydrology, groundwater conditions, land use patterns, conservation practices, environmental water needs, demographic projections, etc. (Wat. C. §10004.6(c))
4. Requires DWR to conduct a series of noticed hearings with interested persons, organizations, local, state, and federal agencies, and representatives of the diverse geographical areas and interests of the state. (Wat. C. §10005.1)

This bill:

1. Requires DWR to develop a comprehensive, strategic plan for the sustainable management and stewardship of California’s water resources that will provide an update on the status and trends of California’s water-dependent natural resources, water supplies, and its agricultural, urban, and environmental water demands.
   
2. Requires DWR to update the Water Plan on or before December 31, 2028, and every five years thereafter.
   
3. Requires DWR to coordinate with the California Water Commission (CWC), State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), other state and federal agencies, and the stakeholder advisory committee, which would be expanded by the bill to include representatives of tribes, labor representatives from building and construction trades, and environmental justice interests, to develop the Water Plan.
   
4. Requires DWR to release a preliminary draft of the Water Plan, as updated, upon request, to interested parties for review and comment and requires DWR to consider these comments in preparation of the final publication of the Water Plan, as updated.
   
5. Adds to the list of strategies that DWR is required to discuss when updating the plan to include groundwater recharge, conveyance, stormwater transfer, and demand management activities
   
6. Requires DWR to conduct public workshops when preparing an update to the Water Plan to give interested parties an opportunity to comment on the plan.
   
7. Requires each update to include the following components:
   1. Discussion of environmental needs, urban sector water needs, and agricultural water needs.
   2. Summary of sources that could finance project types or actions within the various strategies.
   3. Discussion of the estimated costs and benefits of any project type or action that is recommended by DWR within the plan that could help achieve the water supply targets.
   4. A report on the development of regional and local water projects within each hydrologic region of the state undertaken to improve water supplies to meet municipal, agricultural, and environmental water needs and minimize the need to import water from other hydrologic regions.
      
8. Requires the DWR, in addition to the assumptions and estimates DWR is required to release before updating the Water Plan, to also release assumptions and estimates relating to opportunities for demand management, current and projected water and infrastructure needs of disadvantaged communities served by public water systems, state small water systems, and individual domestic wells, and climate change impacts by region and resulting water supply trends, including changes in timing and intensity of snowmelt runoff.
   
9. Requires, as a part of the 2028 update, the DWR to include an interim planning target of 9,000,000 AF of additional water, water conservation, or water storage capacity to be achieved by 2040. Specifies that the target may be achieved through the development of new or expanded surface or groundwater storage, conservation efforts, or the development of stormwater capture, graywater, recycled water, or other water supplies.
   
10. Requires, as a part of the 2033 update, the DWR to update the required planning target and requires subsequent updates to include a range of water supply targets that consider future scenarios with a 50-year planning horizon at a watershed scale. Requires the target to consider the identified and future water needs for all beneficial uses, recognize the impacts of climate change on the state’s resources, consider ways to support a sustainable urban sector, agricultural sector, and environment, ensure safe drinking water for all Californians, and reflect statewide, regional, and local planning efforts. Requires DWR to analyze current and future water trends, including identifying additional water necessary to sustain public trust resources.

Background

1. The California Water Plan. The California Water Plan (Water Plan) “is accepted as the master plan which guides the orderly and coordinated control, protection, conservation, development, management and efficient utilization of the water resources of the state.” (Wat. C. §10005(a)). Additionally, this declaration “does not constitute approval for the construction of specific projects or routes for transfer of water, or for financial assistance, by the state, without further legislative action, nor shall [it] be construed as a prohibition of the development of the water resources of the state by any entity.” (Wat. C. §10005(b)).

As a part of updating the Water Plan every five years, DWR is required to include a discussion of various strategies, including those relating to the development of new water storage facilities, water conservation, water recycling, desalination, conjunctive use, and water transfers that may be used to meet future water needs of the state. DWR is also required to conduct a study to determine the amount of water needed to meet the state’s future needs and to recommend programs, policies, and facilities to meet those needs. (Wat. C. §§10004.5, 10004.6). The next update is scheduled for 2028.

1. California’s Water Supply Strategy: Adapting to a Hotter Drier Climate. In August 2022, Governor Newsom released this strategy to address a projected 10% decrease in water supply (6–9 million acre-feet (MAF) of water per year) by 2040 due to climate change (DWR estimates a 10% reduction in water supply by 2040). To address this shortfall, the strategy sets various targets to generate new water supply, reduce demand, and develop additional storage by 2040. These targets are incorporated into the 2023 update to the Water Plan and include:
   
   1. New supply: 2.4 MAF to be achieved through increased water recycling (1.819 MAF), desalination (84,000 AF, and stormwater capture (500,000 AF)
   2. Demand reduction: 500,000 AF through increased water conservation.
   3. Expanded water storage: 4 MAF of surface water and groundwater recharge.

Comments

Purpose of the bill. According to the author, “A reliable and sustainable water supply is critical to every aspect of California's economy and the quality of life for all Californians. While recent storms have been helpful, a combination of factors, including the driest three-year period in 1,200 years, an aging infrastructure, a growing population and economy, antiquated state policies, and climate change, have created a challenge that threatens the survival of some communities and sectors of the economy and jobs. Despite decades of work to improve California's water system, our infrastructure remains inadequate to meet present needs and is woefully unprepared to meet future needs. [This bill] would establish necessary water supply targets to capture and produce enough water for all uses, including communities, agriculture, and the environment, by modernizing the California Water Plan for a 21st century climate. [This bill] would also update the requirement that state agencies develop a plan to achieve set targets, in consultation with local water agencies, wastewater service providers and other stakeholders. This bill is an important part of a comprehensive, long-term water supply solution that will transform water management for generations to come.”

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No

According to the Assembly Floor Analysis, citing the Assembly Appropriations Committee, DWR reports it currently spends about $7.8 million annually on developing and updating the California Water Plan, with $3.4 million from the General Fund, about $1.1 million in data and investigations from the State Water Project, and about $3.3 million from various other sources in the form of participation and in-kind work from partner state agencies.  DWR reports that new additional costs from this bill include:

• $2 million annually for five years for activities during the five-year California Water Plan update cycle, including to expand investigations and modeling of the state's ten hydrologic regions and to discuss environmental, urban, and agricultural needs.
• $650,000 one time to develop a report on regional and local water projects.
• $1.75 million one time for analysis of future water trends and identification of water to sustain public trust resources.

$2 million one time to analyze current and future needs of disadvantaged and small water system and climate change impacts on a regional level

SUPPORT: (Verified 9/26/24)

California Council for Environmental & Economic Balance (co-source)
California Municipal Utilities Association (co-source)
California State Association of Counties (co-source)
Agricultural Council of California
American Muslims for Sustainability
Association of California Cities - Orange County
Association of California Egg Farmers
Association of California Water Agencies
Bay Area Council
Bellflower Somerset Mutual Water Company
Black Voice News
Brea Chamber of Commerce
Building Industry Association of Southern California, INC.
Burbank Water and Power
CalDesal
California Alfalfa & Forage Association
California Alliance for Golf
California Alliance for Jobs
California Apple Commission
California Association of Realtors
California Association of Sanitation Agencies
California Association of Wheat Growers
California Association of Winegrape Growers
California Bean Shippers Association
California Blueberry Association
California Blueberry Commission
California Building Industry Association
California Business Roundtable
California Chamber of Commerce
California Citrus Mutual
California Cotton Ginners & Growers Association
California Farm Bureau
California Farm Water Coalition
California Fresh Fruit Association
California Grain & Feed Association
California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
California Manufacturers & Technology Association
California Pear Growers Association
California Seed Association
California Special Districts Association
California State Council of Laborers
California State Floral Association
California Stormwater Quality Association
California Walnuts
California Warehouse Association
California Water Association
California Women for Agriculture
Calleguas Municipal Water District
Camrosa Water District
Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce
City of Canyon Lake
City of Corona
City of Hemet
City of Jurupa Valley
City of Lake Elsinore
City of Lake Forest
City of Murrieta
City of Norco
City of Ontario
City of Riverside
City of Riverside Public Utilities
City of Roseville
City of San Bernardino Municipal Water Department
City of Santa Rosa
City of Shasta Lake
Coachella Valley Water District
Contra Costa Water District
County of Riverside
Cucamonga Valley Water District
Desert Water Agency
Dublin Chamber of Commerce
East Bay Leadership Council
Eastern Municipal Water District
Economic Development Coalition
El Dorado Irrigation District
Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District
Far West Equipment Dealers Association
Folsom Chamber of Commerce
Friant Water Authority
Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce
Greater Riverside Chamber of Commerce
Grower-shipper Association
HDR Engineering, INC.
Industrial Environmental Association
Inland Empire Utilities Agency
Irvine Ranch Water District
Jurupa Community Services District
Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center
Kings River Conservation District
Kings River Water Association
Las Virgenes Municipal Water District
League of California Cities
Los Angeles Civil Rights Association
Los Angeles County Business Federation
Mammoth Lakes Tourism
McMullin Area Groundwater Sustainability Agency
Mesa Water District
Mid-peninsula Water District
Milk Producers Council
Modesto Irrigation District
Mojave Water Agency
Monday Morning Group of Western Riverside County
Monte Vista Water District
Municipal Water District of Orange County
Murrieta Wildomar Chamber of Commerce
National Federation of Independent Business
North Bay Leadership Council
Northern California Water Association
Olive Growers Council of California
Olivenhain Municipal Water District
Orange County Business Council
Otay Water District
Pacific Coast Renderers Association
Pacific Egg and Poultry Association
Palmdale Water District
Puente Basin Water Agency
Rancho California Water District
Rebuild Socal Partnership
Regional Water Authority
Rowland Water District
Rubidoux Community Services District
Rubio Canon Land and Water Association
Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce
San Bernardino Area Chamber of Commerce
San Bernardino Municipal Water Department
San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District
San Diego County Water Authority
San Gabriel County Water District
San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments
San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership
San Gabriel Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce
San Jose Chamber of Commerce
San Juan Water District
Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority
Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency
Santa Margarita Water District
Shalom International
Solano County Water Agency
South San Joaquin Irrigation District
Southern California Rental Housing Association
Southern California Water Coalition
Southwest California Legislative Council
Southwest Riverside County Association of Realtors
Sperantia Foundation
State Water Contractors
Stockton East Water District
Temescal Valley Water District
Three Valleys Municipal Water District
Trabuco Canyon Water District
Tri County Chamber Alliance
Turlock Irrigation District
United Ag
Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District
Urban Counties of California
Valley Ag Water Coalition
Valley Center Municipal Water District
Valley County Water District
Valley Water
Walnut Valley Water District
Water Replenishment District of Southern California
West Basin Municipal Water District
West Valley Water District
Western Agricultural Processors Association
Western Growers Association
Western Municipal Water District
Western Plant Health
Western Water
Yorba Linda Water District
Zone 7 Water Agency

OPPOSITION: (Verified 9/26/24)

California Sportfishing Protection Alliance
California Water Research
Center for Biological Diversity
Clean Water Action
Coast Action Group
Community Water Center
Defenders of Wildlife
Foothill Conservancy
Friends of The River
Golden State Salmon Association
Mono Lake Committee
Natural Resources Defense Council
Planning and Conservation League
Restore the Delta
Restoring the Stanislaus River
Sacramento River Council
San Francisco Baykeeper
Save California Salmon
Sierra Club California
South Yuba River Citizens League
Tuolumne River Trust
Union of Concerned Scientists
Water Climate Trust
Winnemem Wintu Tribe

ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: According to the California Municipal Utilities Association, “There is an urgent need for California to develop aspirational targets that will complement and amplify Governor Newsom’s Water Supply Strategy and extend beyond any single Administration. Given the extreme climate impacts of the 21^st century, an expanding economy, a growing population, the anticipated reductions from existing water resources, and the controls on the use of groundwater, California needs to align the state’s water supply strategy and policies with a target that will result in adequate and reliable water supply for all beneficial uses including the environment, agriculture, the economy and all Californians.”

ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION: According to the Mono Lake Committee, “by establishing a planning objective for increasing water supply, but not the other water management objectives, this bill is making increasing water supply the primary objective over the other six objectives. These other objectives are:

• Reduced water demand
• Improve operational efficiency and transfers
• Improve flood management
• Improve water quality
• Practice resource stewardship
• People and water

The Mono Lake Committee believes all seven management objectives in Update 2023 are equally important. Creating more equitable and climate-resilient water systems requires an “all of the above” approach. This bill, by drawing special attention to just one objective, inappropriately diminishes the importance of the other six.”

GOVERNOR'S VETO MESSAGE:

I am returning Senate Bill 366 without my signature.

The bill would require the Department of Water Resources (DWR), as part of the 2033 update, to revise the contents of the California Water Plan to, among other provisions, focus on developing a long-term water supply planning target for 2050 to identify and create plans for future water needs of various water sectors. The California Water Plan (Plan), updated every five years, is the state's guidance document for sustainably and equitably managing, developing, and stewarding the state's water resources. My Administration recently released the 2023 Plan to lay out a statewide vision promoting climate resilience across regions, water sectors, and natural and built infrastructure. This Plan update includes clear goals, watershed-based climate resilience planning, and regional and interregional infrastructure modernization strategies.

While I appreciate the author's intent, this bill would create substantial ongoing costs for DWR, the State Water Resources Control Board, and other state agencies and departments to assist in the development of water supply planning targets. A revision to the Plan of this magnitude, that creates such significant costs, must be considered in the context of the annual budget. In partnership with the Legislature this year, my Administration has enacted a balanced budget that avoids deep program cuts to vital services and protected investments in education, health care, climate, public safety, housing, and social service programs that millions of Californians rely on. It is important to remain disciplined when considering bills with significant fiscal implications that are not included in the budget, such as this measure.

For these reasons, I cannot sign this bill.

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 68-0, 8/26/24

AYES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bryan, Calderon, Juan Carrillo, Wendy Carrillo, Chen, Megan Dahle, Davies, Dixon, Essayli, Flora, Mike Fong, Friedman, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Grayson, Haney, Hart, Holden, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Jones-Sawyer, Kalra, Lackey, Lee, Low, Lowenthal, Mathis, McCarty, McKinnor, Stephanie Nguyen, Pacheco, Papan, Jim Patterson, Joe Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Luz Rivas, Rodriguez, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Santiago, Schiavo, Soria, Ta, Ting, Valencia, Villapudua, Waldron, Wallis, Ward, Weber, Wicks, Wilson, Wood, Robert Rivas

NO VOTE RECORDED: Bonta, Cervantes, Connolly, Gabriel, Maienschein, Muratsuchi, Ortega, Ramos, Rendon, Reyes, Zbur

Prepared by: Genevieve Wong / N.R. & W. / (916) 651-4116

10/9/24 15:34:21

**** END ****

 UNFINISHED BUSINESS  

Bill No: SB 366

Author: Caballero (D), et al.

Amended: 8/22/24

Vote: 21

SENATE NATURAL RES. & WATER COMMITTEE: 11-0, 4/25/23

AYES: Min, Seyarto, Allen, Dahle, Eggman, Grove, Hurtado, Laird, Limón, Padilla, Stern

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: 7-0, 5/18/23

AYES: Portantino, Jones, Ashby, Bradford, Seyarto, Wahab, Wiener

SENATE FLOOR: 40-0, 5/31/23

AYES: Allen, Alvarado-Gil, Archuleta, Ashby, Atkins, Becker, Blakespear, Bradford, Caballero, Cortese, Dahle, Dodd, Durazo, Eggman, Glazer, Gonzalez, Grove, Hurtado, Jones, Laird, Limón, McGuire, Menjivar, Min, Newman, Nguyen, Niello, Ochoa Bogh, Padilla, Portantino, Roth, Rubio, Seyarto, Skinner, Smallwood-Cuevas, Stern, Umberg, Wahab, Wiener, Wilk

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 68-0, 8/26/24 - See last page for vote

SUBJECT: The California Water Plan: long-term supply targets

SOURCE: California Municipal Utilities Association

California State Association of Counties

California Council for Environmental & Economic Balance

DIGEST:

This bill revises and recasts the contents of the California Water Plan, currently updated every five years by the Department of Water Resources (DWR), requires DWR to develop a long-term water supply planning target for 2050, establishes an interim target to develop an additional 9 million acre-feet (AF) of water, and requires that each plan update includes certain specified components.

Assembly Amendments

revise and recast the provisions of the bill and, among other things, remove references to the Delta Reform Act and the coequal goals for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, remove a cost-benefit analysis of strategies and projects necessary to meet the supply targets, add a discussion of environmental needs, urban sector water needs, and agricultural water needs in the plan, and lowers the interim planning target from 10,000,000 acre-feet to 9,000,000 acre-feet.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. States that it is the established policy of the state that the California Water Plan (Water Plan), as amended, is accepted as the master plan which guides the orderly and coordinated development, management, and efficient utilization of the water resources of the state. DWR is required to update the Water Plan every 5 years. (Water Code (Wat. C.) §§10004 et seq.)
2. Requires DWR, as a part of updating the Water Plan, among other things, to:
   1. Establish an advisory committee, comprised of representatives of specified stakeholder groups, to assist DWR in the updating of the Water Plan. (Wat. C. §10004(b)(2))
   2. Conduct a study to determine the amount of water needed to meet the state’s future needs and to recommend programs, policies, and facilities to meet those needs. (Wat. C. §10004.6(a))
   3. Include in the plan a discussion of strategies to meet the state’s future water needs.
      
3. Requires DWR, one year before issuing each update to the Water Plan, to release a preliminary draft of the assumptions and other estimates upon which the study will be based, for review and comment. Current law prescribes a broad list of subjects on which DWR is required to release those assumptions and estimates, including topics such as hydrology, groundwater conditions, land use patterns, conservation practices, environmental water needs, demographic projections, etc. (Wat. C. §10004.6(c))
4. Requires DWR to conduct a series of noticed hearings with interested persons, organizations, local, state, and federal agencies, and representatives of the diverse geographical areas and interests of the state. (Wat. C. §10005.1)

This bill:

1. Requires DWR to develop a comprehensive, strategic plan for the sustainable management and stewardship of California’s water resources that will provide an update on the status and trends of California’s water-dependent natural resources, water supplies, and its agricultural, urban, and environmental water demands.
   
2. Requires DWR to update the Water Plan on or before December 31, 2028, and every five years thereafter.
   
3. Requires DWR to coordinate with the California Water Commission (CWC), State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), other state and federal agencies, and the stakeholder advisory committee, which would be expanded by the bill to include representatives of tribes, labor representatives from building and construction trades, and environmental justice interests, to develop the Water Plan.
   
4. Requires DWR to release a preliminary draft of the Water Plan, as updated, upon request, to interested parties for review and comment and requires DWR to consider these comments in preparation of the final publication of the Water Plan, as updated.
   
5. Adds to the list of strategies that DWR is required to discuss when updating the plan to include groundwater recharge, conveyance, stormwater transfer, and demand management activities
   
6. Requires DWR to conduct public workshops when preparing an update to the Water Plan to give interested parties an opportunity to comment on the plan.
   
7. Requires each update to include the following components:
   1. Discussion of environmental needs, urban sector water needs, and agricultural water needs.
   2. Summary of sources that could finance project types or actions within the various strategies.
   3. Discussion of the estimated costs and benefits of any project type or action that is recommended by DWR within the plan that could help achieve the water supply targets.
   4. A report on the development of regional and local water projects within each hydrologic region of the state undertaken to improve water supplies to meet municipal, agricultural, and environmental water needs and minimize the need to import water from other hydrologic regions.
      
8. Requires DWR, in addition to the assumptions and estimates DWR is required to release before updating the Water Plan, to also release assumptions and estimates relating to opportunities for demand management, current and projected water and infrastructure needs of disadvantaged communities served by public water systems, state small water systems, and individual domestic wells, and climate change impacts by region and resulting water supply trends, including changes in timing and intensity of snowmelt runoff.
   
9. As a part of the 2028 update, requires DWR to include an interim planning target of 9,000,000 AF of additional water, water conservation, or water storage capacity to be achieved by 2040. Specifies that the target may be achieved through the development of new or expanded surface or groundwater storage, conservation efforts, or the development of stormwater capture, graywater, recycled water, or other water supplies
   
10. As a part of the 2033 update, requires DWR to update the required planning target and requires subsequent updates to include a range of water supply targets that consider future scenarios with a 50-year planning horizon at a watershed scale. Requires the target to consider the identified and future water needs for all beneficial uses, recognize the impacts of climate change on the state’s resources, consider ways to support a sustainable urban sector, agricultural sector, and environment, ensure safe drinking water for all Californians, and reflect statewide, regional, and local planning efforts. Requires DWR to analyze current and future water trends, including identifying additional water necessary to sustain public trust resources.

Background

1. The California Water Plan. The California Water Plan (Water Plan) “is accepted as the master plan which guides the orderly and coordinated control, protection, conservation, development, management and efficient utilization of the water resources of the state.” (Wat. C. §10005(a)). Additionally, this declaration “does not constitute approval for the construction of specific projects or routes for transfer of water, or for financial assistance, by the state, without further legislative action, nor shall [it] be construed as a prohibition of the development of the water resources of the state by any entity.” (Wat. C. §10005(b)).

As a part of updating the Water Plan every five years, DWR is required to include a discussion of various strategies, including those relating to the development of new water storage facilities, water conservation, water recycling, desalination, conjunctive use, and water transfers that may be used to meet future water needs of the state. DWR is also required to conduct a study to determine the amount of water needed to meet the state’s future needs and to recommend programs, policies, and facilities to meet those needs. (Wat. C. §§10004.5, 10004.6). The next update is scheduled for 2028.

1. California’s Water Supply Strategy: Adapting to a Hotter Drier Climate. In August 2022, Governor Newsom released this strategy to address a projected 10% decrease in water supply (6–9 million acre-feet (MAF) of water per year) by 2040 due to climate change (DWR estimates a 10% reduction in water supply by 2040). To address this shortfall, the strategy sets various targets to generate new water supply, reduce demand, and develop additional storage by 2040. These targets are incorporated into the 2023 update to the Water Plan and include:
   
   1. New supply: 2.4 MAF to be achieved through increased water recycling (1.819 MAF), desalination (84,000 AF, and stormwater capture (500,000 AF)
   2. Demand reduction: 500,000 AF through increased water conservation.
   3. Expanded water storage: 4 MAF of surface water and groundwater recharge.

Comments

Purpose of the bill. According to the author, “A reliable and sustainable water supply is critical to every aspect of California's economy and the quality of life for all Californians. While recent storms have been helpful, a combination of factors, including the driest three-year period in 1,200 years, an aging infrastructure, a growing population and economy, antiquated state policies, and climate change, have created a challenge that threatens the survival of some communities and sectors of the economy and jobs. Despite decades of work to improve California's water system, our infrastructure remains inadequate to meet present needs and is woefully unprepared to meet future needs. [This bill] would establish necessary water supply targets to capture and produce enough water for all uses, including communities, agriculture, and the environment, by modernizing the California Water Plan for a 21st century climate. [This bill] would also update the requirement that state agencies develop a plan to achieve set targets, in consultation with local water agencies, wastewater service providers and other stakeholders. This bill is an important part of a comprehensive, long-term water supply solution that will transform water management for generations to come.”

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No

According to the Assembly Floor Analysis, citing the Assembly Appropriations Committee,

DWR reports it currently spends about $7.8 million annually on developing and updating the California Water Plan, with $3.4 million from the General Fund, about $1.1 million in data and investigations from the State Water Project, and about $3.3 million from various other sources in the form of participation and in-kind work from partner state agencies.  DWR reports that new additional costs from this bill include:

• $2 million annually for five years for activities during the five-year California Water Plan update cycle, including to expand investigations and modeling of the state's ten hydrologic regions and to discuss environmental, urban, and agricultural needs.
• $650,000 one time to develop a report on regional and local water projects.
• $1.75 million one time for analysis of future water trends and identification of water to sustain public trust resources.

$2 million one time to analyze current and future needs of disadvantaged and small water system and climate change impacts on a regional level

SUPPORT: (Verified 8/27/24)

California Council for Environmental & Economic Balance (CCEEB) (co-source)
California Municipal Utilities Association (co-source)
California State Association of Counties (co-source)
Agricultural Council of California
American Muslims for Sustainability
Association of California Cities - Orange County
Association of California Egg Farmers
Association of California Water Agencies
Bay Area Council
Bellflower Somerset Mutual Water Company
Black Voice News
Brea Chamber of Commerce
Building Industry Association of Southern California, INC.
Burbank Water and Power
CalDesal
California Alfalfa & Forage Association
California Alliance for Golf
California Alliance for Jobs
California Apple Commission
California Association of Realtors
California Association of Sanitation Agencies
California Association of Wheat Growers
California Association of Winegrape Growers
California Bean Shippers Association
California Blueberry Association
California Blueberry Commission
California Building Industry Association
California Business Roundtable
California Chamber of Commerce
California Citrus Mutual
California Cotton Ginners & Growers Association
California Farm Bureau
California Farm Water Coalition
California Fresh Fruit Association
California Grain & Feed Association
California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
California Manufacturers & Technology Association
California Pear Growers Association
California Seed Association
California Special Districts Association
California State Council of Laborers
California State Floral Association
California Stormwater Quality Association
California Walnuts
California Warehouse Association
California Water Association
California Women for Agriculture
Calleguas Municipal Water District
Camrosa Water District
Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce
City of Canyon Lake
City of Corona
City of Hemet
City of Jurupa Valley
City of Lake Elsinore
City of Lake Forest
City of Murrieta
City of Norco
City of Ontario
City of Riverside
City of Riverside Public Utilities
City of Roseville
City of San Bernardino Municipal Water Department
City of Santa Rosa
City of Shasta Lake
Coachella Valley Water District
Contra Costa Water District
County of Riverside
Cucamonga Valley Water District
Desert Water Agency
Dublin Chamber of Commerce
East Bay Leadership Council
Eastern Municipal Water District
Economic Development Coalition
El Dorado Irrigation District
Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District
Far West Equipment Dealers Association
Folsom Chamber of Commerce
Friant Water Authority
Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce
Greater Riverside Chamber of Commerce
Grower-shipper Association
HDR Engineering, INC.
Industrial Environmental Association
Inland Empire Utilities Agency
Irvine Ranch Water District
Jurupa Community Services District
Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center
Kings River Conservation District
Kings River Water Association
Las Virgenes Municipal Water District
League of California Cities
Los Angeles Civil Rights Association
Los Angeles County Business Federation
Mammoth Lakes Tourism
McMullin Area Groundwater Sustainability Agency
Mesa Water District
Mid-peninsula Water District
Milk Producers Council
Modesto Irrigation District
Mojave Water Agency
Monday Morning Group of Western Riverside County
Monte Vista Water District
Municipal Water District of Orange County
Murrieta Wildomar Chamber of Commerce
National Federation of Independent Business
North Bay Leadership Council
Northern California Water Association
Olive Growers Council of California
Olivenhain Municipal Water District
Orange County Business Council
Otay Water District
Pacific Coast Renderers Association
Pacific Egg and Poultry Association
Palmdale Water District
Puente Basin Water Agency
Rancho California Water District
Rebuild Socal Partnership
Regional Water Authority
Rowland Water District
Rubidoux Community Services District
Rubio Canon Land and Water Association
Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce
San Bernardino Area Chamber of Commerce
San Bernardino Municipal Water Department
San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District
San Diego County Water Authority
San Gabriel County Water District
San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments
San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership
San Gabriel Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce
San Jose Chamber of Commerce
San Juan Water District
Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority
Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency
Santa Margarita Water District
Shalom International
Solano County Water Agency
South San Joaquin Irrigation District
Southern California Rental Housing Association
Southern California Water Coalition
Southwest California Legislative Council
Southwest Riverside County Association of Realtors
Sperantia Foundation
State Water Contractors
Stockton East Water District
Temescal Valley Water District
Three Valleys Municipal Water District
Trabuco Canyon Water District
Tri County Chamber Alliance
Turlock Irrigation District
United Ag
Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District
Urban Counties of California
Valley Ag Water Coalition
Valley Center Municipal Water District
Valley County Water District
Valley Water
Walnut Valley Water District
Water Replenishment District of Southern California
West Basin Municipal Water District
West Valley Water District
Western Agricultural Processors Association
Western Growers Association
Western Municipal Water District
Western Plant Health
Western Water
Yorba Linda Water District
Zone 7 Water Agency

OPPOSITION: (Verified 8/27/24)

California Sportfishing Protection Alliance
California Water Research
Center for Biological Diversity
Clean Water Action
Coast Action Group
Community Water Center
Defenders of Wildlife
Foothill Conservancy
Friends of The River
Golden State Salmon Association
Mono Lake Committee
Natural Resources Defense Council
Planning and Conservation League
Restore the Delta
Restoring the Stanislaus River
Sacramento River Council
San Francisco Baykeeper
Save California Salmon
Sierra Club California
South Yuba River Citizens League
Tuolumne River Trust
Union of Concerned Scientists
Water Climate Trust
Winnemem Wintu Tribe

ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: According to the California Municipal Utilities Association, “There is an urgent need for California to develop aspirational targets that will complement and amplify Governor Newsom’s Water Supply Strategy and extend beyond any single Administration. Given the extreme climate impacts of the 21^st century, an expanding economy, a growing population, the anticipated reductions from existing water resources, and the controls on the use of groundwater, California needs to align the state’s water supply strategy and policies with a target that will result in adequate and reliable water supply for all beneficial uses including the environment, agriculture, the economy and all Californians.”

ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION: According to the Mono Lake Committee, “by establishing a planning objective for increasing water supply, but not the other water management objectives, this bill is making increasing water supply the primary objective over the other six objectives. These other objectives are:

• Reduced water demand
• Improve operational efficiency and transfers
• Improve flood management
• Improve water quality
• Practice resource stewardship
• People and water

The Mono Lake Committee believes all seven management objectives in Update 2023 are equally important. Creating more equitable and climate-resilient water systems requires an “all of the above” approach. This bill, by drawing special attention to just one objective, inappropriately diminishes the importance of the other six.”

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 68-0, 8/26/24

AYES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bryan, Calderon, Juan Carrillo, Wendy Carrillo, Chen, Megan Dahle, Davies, Dixon, Essayli, Flora, Mike Fong, Friedman, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Grayson, Haney, Hart, Holden, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Jones-Sawyer, Kalra, Lackey, Lee, Low, Lowenthal, Mathis, McCarty, McKinnor, Stephanie Nguyen, Pacheco, Papan, Jim Patterson, Joe Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Luz Rivas, Rodriguez, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Santiago, Schiavo, Soria, Ta, Ting, Valencia, Villapudua, Waldron, Wallis, Ward, Weber, Wicks, Wilson, Wood, Robert Rivas

NO VOTE RECORDED: Bonta, Cervantes, Connolly, Gabriel, Maienschein, Muratsuchi, Ortega, Ramos, Rendon, Reyes, Zbur

Prepared by: Genevieve Wong / N.R. & W. / (916) 651-4116

8/29/24 11:20:11

**** END ****

 UNFINISHED BUSINESS  

Bill No: SB 366

Author: Caballero (D), et al.

Amended: 8/22/24

Vote: 21

SENATE NATURAL RES. & WATER COMMITTEE: 11-0, 4/25/23

AYES: Min, Seyarto, Allen, Dahle, Eggman, Grove, Hurtado, Laird, Limón, Padilla, Stern

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: 7-0, 5/18/23

AYES: Portantino, Jones, Ashby, Bradford, Seyarto, Wahab, Wiener

SENATE FLOOR: 40-0, 5/31/23

AYES: Allen, Alvarado-Gil, Archuleta, Ashby, Atkins, Becker, Blakespear, Bradford, Caballero, Cortese, Dahle, Dodd, Durazo, Eggman, Glazer, Gonzalez, Grove, Hurtado, Jones, Laird, Limón, McGuire, Menjivar, Min, Newman, Nguyen, Niello, Ochoa Bogh, Padilla, Portantino, Roth, Rubio, Seyarto, Skinner, Smallwood-Cuevas, Stern, Umberg, Wahab, Wiener, Wilk

SUBJECT: The California Water Plan: long-term supply targets

SOURCE: California Municipal Utilities Association

California State Association of Counties

California Council for Environmental & Economic Balance

DIGEST:

This bill revises and recasts the contents of the California Water Plan, currently updated every five years by the Department of Water Resources (DWR), requires DWR to develop a long-term water supply planning target for 2050, establishes an interim target to develop an additional 9 million acre-feet (AF) of water, and requires that each plan update includes certain specified components.

Assembly Amendments

revise and recast the provisions of the bill and, among other things, remove references to the Delta Reform Act and the coequal goals for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, remove a cost-benefit analysis of strategies and projects necessary to meet the supply targets, add a discussion of environmental needs, urban sector water needs, and agricultural water needs in the plan, and lowers the interim planning target from 10,000,000 acre-feet to 9,000,000 acre-feet.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. States that it is the established policy of the state that the California Water Plan (Water Plan), as amended, is accepted as the master plan which guides the orderly and coordinated development, management, and efficient utilization of the water resources of the state. DWR is required to update the Water Plan every 5 years. (Water Code (Wat. C.) §§10004 et seq.)
2. Requires DWR, as a part of updating the Water Plan, among other things, to:
   1. Establish an advisory committee, comprised of representatives of specified stakeholder groups, to assist DWR in the updating of the Water Plan. (Wat. C. §10004(b)(2))
   2. Conduct a study to determine the amount of water needed to meet the state’s future needs and to recommend programs, policies, and facilities to meet those needs. (Wat. C. §10004.6(a))
   3. Include in the plan a discussion of strategies to meet the state’s future water needs.
      
3. Requires DWR, one year before issuing each update to the Water Plan, to release a preliminary draft of the assumptions and other estimates upon which the study will be based, for review and comment. Current law prescribes a broad list of subjects on which DWR is required to release those assumptions and estimates, including topics such as hydrology, groundwater conditions, land use patterns, conservation practices, environmental water needs, demographic projections, etc. (Wat. C. §10004.6(c))
4. Requires DWR to conduct a series of noticed hearings with interested persons, organizations, local, state, and federal agencies, and representatives of the diverse geographical areas and interests of the state. (Wat. C. §10005.1)

This bill:

1. Requires DWR to develop a comprehensive, strategic plan for the sustainable management and stewardship of California’s water resources that will provide an update on the status and trends of California’s water-dependent natural resources, water supplies, and its agricultural, urban, and environmental water demands.
   
2. Requires DWR to update the Water Plan on or before December 31, 2028, and every five years thereafter.
   
3. Requires DWR to coordinate with the California Water Commission (CWC), State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), other state and federal agencies, and the stakeholder advisory committee, which would be expanded by the bill to include representatives of tribes, labor representatives from building and construction trades, and environmental justice interests, to develop the Water Plan.
   
4. Requires DWR to release a preliminary draft of the Water Plan, as updated, upon request, to interested parties for review and comment and requires DWR to consider these comments in preparation of the final publication of the Water Plan, as updated.
   
5. Adds to the list of strategies that DWR is required to discuss when updating the plan to include groundwater recharge, conveyance, stormwater transfer, and demand management activities
   
6. Requires DWR to conduct public workshops when preparing an update to the Water Plan to give interested parties an opportunity to comment on the plan.
   
7. Requires each update to include the following components:
   1. Discussion of environmental needs, urban sector water needs, and agricultural water needs.
   2. Summary of sources that could finance project types or actions within the various strategies.
   3. Discussion of the estimated costs and benefits of any project type or action that is recommended by DWR within the plan that could help achieve the water supply targets.
   4. A report on the development of regional and local water projects within each hydrologic region of the state undertaken to improve water supplies to meet municipal, agricultural, and environmental water needs and minimize the need to import water from other hydrologic regions.
      
8. Requires DWR, in addition to the assumptions and estimates DWR is required to release before updating the Water Plan, to also release assumptions and estimates relating to opportunities for demand management, current and projected water and infrastructure needs of disadvantaged communities served by public water systems, state small water systems, and individual domestic wells, and climate change impacts by region and resulting water supply trends, including changes in timing and intensity of snowmelt runoff.
   
9. As a part of the 2028 update, requires DWR to include an interim planning target of 9,000,000 AF of additional water, water conservation, or water storage capacity to be achieved by 2040. Specifies that the target may be achieved through the development of new or expanded surface or groundwater storage, conservation efforts, or the development of stormwater capture, graywater, recycled water, or other water supplies
   
10. As a part of the 2033 update, requires DWR to update the required planning target and requires subsequent updates to include a range of water supply targets that consider future scenarios with a 50-year planning horizon at a watershed scale. Requires the target to consider the identified and future water needs for all beneficial uses, recognize the impacts of climate change on the state’s resources, consider ways to support a sustainable urban sector, agricultural sector, and environment, ensure safe drinking water for all Californians, and reflect statewide, regional, and local planning efforts. Requires DWR to analyze current and future water trends, including identifying additional water necessary to sustain public trust resources.

Background

1. The California Water Plan. The California Water Plan (Water Plan) “is accepted as the master plan which guides the orderly and coordinated control, protection, conservation, development, management and efficient utilization of the water resources of the state.” (Wat. C. §10005(a)). Additionally, this declaration “does not constitute approval for the construction of specific projects or routes for transfer of water, or for financial assistance, by the state, without further legislative action, nor shall [it] be construed as a prohibition of the development of the water resources of the state by any entity.” (Wat. C. §10005(b)).

As a part of updating the Water Plan every five years, DWR is required to include a discussion of various strategies, including those relating to the development of new water storage facilities, water conservation, water recycling, desalination, conjunctive use, and water transfers that may be used to meet future water needs of the state. DWR is also required to conduct a study to determine the amount of water needed to meet the state’s future needs and to recommend programs, policies, and facilities to meet those needs. (Wat. C. §§10004.5, 10004.6). The next update is scheduled for 2028.

1. California’s Water Supply Strategy: Adapting to a Hotter Drier Climate. In August 2022, Governor Newsom released this strategy to address a projected 10% decrease in water supply (6–9 million acre-feet (MAF) of water per year) by 2040 due to climate change (DWR estimates a 10% reduction in water supply by 2040). To address this shortfall, the strategy sets various targets to generate new water supply, reduce demand, and develop additional storage by 2040. These targets are incorporated into the 2023 update to the Water Plan and include:
   
   1. New supply: 2.4 MAF to be achieved through increased water recycling (1.819 MAF), desalination (84,000 AF, and stormwater capture (500,000 AF)
   2. Demand reduction: 500,000 AF through increased water conservation.
   3. Expanded water storage: 4 MAF of surface water and groundwater recharge.

Comments

Purpose of the bill. According to the author, “A reliable and sustainable water supply is critical to every aspect of California's economy and the quality of life for all Californians. While recent storms have been helpful, a combination of factors, including the driest three-year period in 1,200 years, an aging infrastructure, a growing population and economy, antiquated state policies, and climate change, have created a challenge that threatens the survival of some communities and sectors of the economy and jobs. Despite decades of work to improve California's water system, our infrastructure remains inadequate to meet present needs and is woefully unprepared to meet future needs. [This bill] would establish necessary water supply targets to capture and produce enough water for all uses, including communities, agriculture, and the environment, by modernizing the California Water Plan for a 21st century climate. [This bill] would also update the requirement that state agencies develop a plan to achieve set targets, in consultation with local water agencies, wastewater service providers and other stakeholders. This bill is an important part of a comprehensive, long-term water supply solution that will transform water management for generations to come.”

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No

According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, “DWR reports it currently spends about $7.8 million annually on developing and updating the California Water Plan, with $3.4 million from the General Fund, about $1.1 million in data and investigations from the State Water Project, and about $3.3 million from various other sources in the form of participation and in-kind work from partner state agencies. DWR reports that new additional costs from this bill include:

• $2 million annually for five years for activities during the five-year California Water Plan update cycle, including to expand investigations and modeling of the state’s 10 hydrologic regions and to discuss environmental, urban, and agricultural needs.
• $35 million to $45 million over five years to conduct a cost/benefit analyses of achieving the targets, “including…various strategies and projects necessary to meet those targets,” which would include the three water use sectors (agriculture, urban, and environmental) identified in the bill, the state’s 10 hydrologic regions, and the 10 strategies identified in the bill. DWR states that even a “bare-bones look at projects and strategies within sectors, within regions would easily approach” its estimated costs of $35 million to $45 million.
• $650,000 one time to develop a report on regional and local water projects.
• $150,000 annually to develop a report to the Legislature.
• $2 million one time to assess the regional strategies and needs for the 2050 target study.
• $1.75 million one time for analysis of future water trends and identification of water to sustain public trust resources.
• $2 million one time to analyze current and future needs of disadvantaged and small water system and climate changes impacts on a regional level.

SWRCB reports costs of $4,275,000 annually ongoing for updating all designated beneficial uses for inclusion in the California Water Plan; for new extensive coordination with DWR on water rights, water quality, and drinking water; and for substantial enhancements to water boards’ data systems to meet new data requirements of this bill. SWRCB states that exact funding sources to cover these costs have not been identified but may potentially include some funding from the Waste Discharge Permit Fund, with remaining costs from the General Fund.  According to the Legislative Analyst’s Office, the General Fund faces a structural deficit in the tens of billions of dollars over the next several fiscal years.”

SUPPORT: (Verified 8/27/24)

California Council for Environmental & Economic Balance (CCEEB) (co-source)
California Municipal Utilities Association (co-source)
California State Association of Counties (co-source)
Agricultural Council of California
American Muslims for Sustainability
Association of California Cities - Orange County
Association of California Egg Farmers
Association of California Water Agencies
Bay Area Council
Bellflower Somerset Mutual Water Company
Black Voice News
Brea Chamber of Commerce
Building Industry Association of Southern California, INC.
Burbank Water and Power
CalDesal
California Alfalfa & Forage Association
California Alliance for Golf
California Alliance for Jobs
California Apple Commission
California Association of Realtors
California Association of Sanitation Agencies
California Association of Wheat Growers
California Association of Winegrape Growers
California Bean Shippers Association
California Blueberry Association
California Blueberry Commission
California Building Industry Association
California Business Roundtable
California Chamber of Commerce
California Citrus Mutual
California Cotton Ginners & Growers Association
California Farm Bureau
California Farm Water Coalition
California Fresh Fruit Association
California Grain & Feed Association
California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
California Manufacturers & Technology Association
California Pear Growers Association
California Seed Association
California Special Districts Association
California State Council of Laborers
California State Floral Association
California Stormwater Quality Association
California Walnuts
California Warehouse Association
California Water Association
California Women for Agriculture
Calleguas Municipal Water District
Camrosa Water District
Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce
City of Canyon Lake
City of Corona
City of Hemet
City of Jurupa Valley
City of Lake Elsinore
City of Lake Forest
City of Murrieta
City of Norco
City of Ontario
City of Riverside
City of Riverside Public Utilities
City of Roseville
City of San Bernardino Municipal Water Department
City of Santa Rosa
City of Shasta Lake
Coachella Valley Water District
Contra Costa Water District
County of Riverside
Cucamonga Valley Water District
Desert Water Agency
Dublin Chamber of Commerce
East Bay Leadership Council
Eastern Municipal Water District
Economic Development Coalition
El Dorado Irrigation District
Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District
Far West Equipment Dealers Association
Folsom Chamber of Commerce
Friant Water Authority
Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce
Greater Riverside Chamber of Commerce
Grower-shipper Association
HDR Engineering, INC.
Industrial Environmental Association
Inland Empire Utilities Agency
Irvine Ranch Water District
Jurupa Community Services District
Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center
Kings River Conservation District
Kings River Water Association
Las Virgenes Municipal Water District
League of California Cities
Los Angeles Civil Rights Association
Los Angeles County Business Federation
Mammoth Lakes Tourism
McMullin Area Groundwater Sustainability Agency
Mesa Water District
Mid-peninsula Water District
Milk Producers Council
Modesto Irrigation District
Mojave Water Agency
Monday Morning Group of Western Riverside County
Monte Vista Water District
Municipal Water District of Orange County
Murrieta Wildomar Chamber of Commerce
National Federation of Independent Business
North Bay Leadership Council
Northern California Water Association
Olive Growers Council of California
Olivenhain Municipal Water District
Orange County Business Council
Otay Water District
Pacific Coast Renderers Association
Pacific Egg and Poultry Association
Palmdale Water District
Puente Basin Water Agency
Rancho California Water District
Rebuild Socal Partnership
Regional Water Authority
Rowland Water District
Rubidoux Community Services District
Rubio Canon Land and Water Association
Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce
San Bernardino Area Chamber of Commerce
San Bernardino Municipal Water Department
San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District
San Diego County Water Authority
San Gabriel County Water District
San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments
San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership
San Gabriel Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce
San Jose Chamber of Commerce
San Juan Water District
Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority
Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency
Santa Margarita Water District
Shalom International
Solano County Water Agency
South San Joaquin Irrigation District
Southern California Rental Housing Association
Southern California Water Coalition
Southwest California Legislative Council
Southwest Riverside County Association of Realtors
Sperantia Foundation
State Water Contractors
Stockton East Water District
Temescal Valley Water District
Three Valleys Municipal Water District
Trabuco Canyon Water District
Tri County Chamber Alliance
Turlock Irrigation District
United Ag
Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District
Urban Counties of California
Valley Ag Water Coalition
Valley Center Municipal Water District
Valley County Water District
Valley Water
Walnut Valley Water District
Water Replenishment District of Southern California
West Basin Municipal Water District
West Valley Water District
Western Agricultural Processors Association
Western Growers Association
Western Municipal Water District
Western Plant Health
Western Water
Yorba Linda Water District
Zone 7 Water Agency

OPPOSITION: (Verified 8/27/24)

California Sportfishing Protection Alliance
California Water Research
Center for Biological Diversity
Clean Water Action
Coast Action Group
Community Water Center
Defenders of Wildlife
Foothill Conservancy
Friends of The River
Golden State Salmon Association
Mono Lake Committee
Natural Resources Defense Council
Planning and Conservation League
Restore the Delta
Restoring the Stanislaus River
Sacramento River Council
San Francisco Baykeeper
Save California Salmon
Sierra Club California
South Yuba River Citizens League
Tuolumne River Trust
Union of Concerned Scientists
Water Climate Trust
Winnemem Wintu Tribe

ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: According to the California Municipal Utilities Association, “There is an urgent need for California to develop aspirational targets that will complement and amplify Governor Newsom’s Water Supply Strategy and extend beyond any single Administration. Given the extreme climate impacts of the 21^st century, an expanding economy, a growing population, the anticipated reductions from existing water resources, and the controls on the use of groundwater, California needs to align the state’s water supply strategy and policies with a target that will result in adequate and reliable water supply for all beneficial uses including the environment, agriculture, the economy and all Californians.”

ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION: According to the Mono Lake Committee, “by establishing a planning objective for increasing water supply, but not the other water management objectives, this bill is making increasing water supply the primary objective over the other six objectives. These other objectives are:

• Reduced water demand
• Improve operational efficiency and transfers
• Improve flood management
• Improve water quality
• Practice resource stewardship
• People and water

The Mono Lake Committee believes all seven management objectives in Update 2023 are equally important. Creating more equitable and climate-resilient water systems requires an “all of the above” approach. This bill, by drawing special attention to just one objective, inappropriately diminishes the importance of the other six.”

ASSEMBLY FLOOR VOTE: 68-0, 8/26/24

Ayes: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bryan, Calderon, Juan Carrillo, Wendy Carrillo, Chen, Megan Dahle, Davies, Dixon, Essayli, Flora, Mike Fong, Friedman, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Grayson, Haney, Hart, Holden, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Jones-Sawyer, Kalra, Lackey, Lee, Low, Lowenthal, Mathis, McCarty, McKinnor, Stephanie Nguyen, Pacheco, Papan, Jim Patterson, Joe Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Luz Rivas, Rodriguez, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Santiago, Schiavo, Soria, Ta, Ting, Valencia, Villapudua, Waldron, Wallis, Ward, Weber, Wicks, Wilson, Wood, Robert Rivas

Noes:

No Vote Recorded: Bonta, Cervantes, Connolly, Gabriel, Maienschein, Muratsuchi, Ortega, Ramos, Rendon, Reyes, Zbur

Prepared by: Genevieve Wong / N.R. & W. / (916) 651-4116

8/28/24 13:24:03

**** END ****

 UNFINISHED BUSINESS  

Bill No: SB 366

Author: Caballero (D), et al.

Amended: 8/22/24

Vote: 21

SENATE NATURAL RES. & WATER COMMITTEE: 11-0, 4/25/23

AYES: Min, Seyarto, Allen, Dahle, Eggman, Grove, Hurtado, Laird, Limón, Padilla, Stern

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: 7-0, 5/18/23

AYES: Portantino, Jones, Ashby, Bradford, Seyarto, Wahab, Wiener

SENATE FLOOR: 40-0, 5/31/23

AYES: Allen, Alvarado-Gil, Archuleta, Ashby, Atkins, Becker, Blakespear, Bradford, Caballero, Cortese, Dahle, Dodd, Durazo, Eggman, Glazer, Gonzalez, Grove, Hurtado, Jones, Laird, Limón, McGuire, Menjivar, Min, Newman, Nguyen, Niello, Ochoa Bogh, Padilla, Portantino, Roth, Rubio, Seyarto, Skinner, Smallwood-Cuevas, Stern, Umberg, Wahab, Wiener, Wilk

SUBJECT: The California Water Plan: long-term supply targets

SOURCE: California Municipal Utilities Association

California State Association of Counties

California Council for Environmental & Economic Balance

DIGEST:

This bill revises and recasts the contents of the California Water Plan, currently updated every five years by the Department of Water Resources (DWR), requires DWR to develop a long-term water supply planning target for 2050, establishes an interim target to develop an additional 9 million acre-feet (AF) of water, and requires that each plan update includes certain specified components.

Assembly Amendments

revise and recast the provisions of the bill and, among other things, remove references to the Delta Reform Act and the coequal goals for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, remove a cost-benefit analysis of strategies and projects necessary to meet the supply targets, add a discussion of environmental needs, urban sector water needs, and agricultural water needs in the plan, and lowers the interim planning target from 10,000 acre-feet to 9,000,000 acre-feet.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. States that it is the established policy of the state that the California Water Plan (Water Plan), as amended, is accepted as the master plan which guides the orderly and coordinated development, management, and efficient utilization of the water resources of the state. DWR is required to update the Water Plan every 5 years. (Water Code (Wat. C.) §§10004 et seq.)
2. Requires DWR, as a part of updating the Water Plan, among other things, to:
   1. Establish an advisory committee, comprised of representatives of specified stakeholder groups, to assist DWR in the updating of the Water Plan. (Wat. C. §10004(b)(2))
   2. Conduct a study to determine the amount of water needed to meet the state’s future needs and to recommend programs, policies, and facilities to meet those needs. (Wat. C. §10004.6(a))
   3. Include in the plan a discussion of strategies to meet the state’s future water needs.
      
3. Requires DWR, one year before issuing each update to the Water Plan, to release a preliminary draft of the assumptions and other estimates upon which the study will be based, for review and comment. Current law prescribes a broad list of subjects on which DWR is required to release those assumptions and estimates, including topics such as hydrology, groundwater conditions, land use patterns, conservation practices, environmental water needs, demographic projections, etc. (Wat. C. §10004.6(c))
4. Requires DWR to conduct a series of noticed hearings with interested persons, organizations, local, state, and federal agencies, and representatives of the diverse geographical areas and interests of the state. (Wat. C. §10005.1)

This bill:

1. Requires DWR to develop a comprehensive, strategic plan for the sustainable management and stewardship of California’s water resources that will provide an update on the status and trends of California’s water-dependent natural resources, water supplies, and its agricultural, urban, and environmental water demands.
   
2. Requires DWR to update the Water Plan on or before December 31, 2028, and every five years thereafter.
   
3. Requires DWR to coordinate with the California Water Commission (CWC), State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), other state and federal agencies, and the stakeholder advisory committee, which would be expanded by the bill to include representatives of tribes, labor representatives from building and construction trades, and environmental justice interests, to develop the Water Plan.
   
4. Requires DWR to release a preliminary draft of the Water Plan, as updated, upon request, to interested parties for review and comment and requires DWR to consider these comments in preparation of the final publication of the Water Plan, as updated.
   
5. Adds to the list of strategies that DWR is required to discuss when updating the plan to include groundwater recharge, conveyance, stormwater transfer, and demand management activities
   
6. Requires DWR to conduct public workshops when preparing an update to the Water Plan to give interested parties an opportunity to comment on the plan.
   
7. Requires each update to include the following components:
   1. Discussion of environmental needs, urban sector water needs, and agricultural water needs.
   2. Summary of sources that could finance project types or actions within the various strategies.
   3. Discussion of the estimated costs and benefits of any project type or action that is recommended by DWR within the plan that could help achieve the water supply targets.
   4. A report on the development of regional and local water projects within each hydrologic region of the state undertaken to improve water supplies to meet municipal, agricultural, and environmental water needs and minimize the need to import water from other hydrologic regions.
      
8. Requires DWR, in addition to the assumptions and estimates DWR is required to release before updating the Water Plan, to also release assumptions and estimates relating to opportunities for demand management, current and projected water and infrastructure needs of disadvantaged communities served by public water systems, state small water systems, and individual domestic wells, and climate change impacts by region and resulting water supply trends, including changes in timing and intensity of snowmelt runoff.
   
9. As a part of the 2028 update, requires DWR to include an interim planning target of 9,000,000 AF of additional water, water conservation, or water storage capacity to be achieved by 2040. Specifies that the target may be achieved through the development of new or expanded surface or groundwater storage, conservation efforts, or the development of stormwater capture, graywater, recycled water, or other water supplies
   
10. As a part of the 2033 update, requires DWR to update the required planning target and requires subsequent updates to include a range of water supply targets that consider future scenarios with a 50-year planning horizon at a watershed scale. Requires the target to consider the identified and future water needs for all beneficial uses, recognize the impacts of climate change on the state’s resources, consider ways to support a sustainable urban sector, agricultural sector, and environment, ensure safe drinking water for all Californians, and reflect statewide, regional, and local planning efforts. Requires DWR to analyze current and future water trends, including identifying additional water necessary to sustain public trust resources.

Background

1. The California Water Plan. The California Water Plan (Water Plan) “is accepted as the master plan which guides the orderly and coordinated control, protection, conservation, development, management and efficient utilization of the water resources of the state.” (Wat. C. §10005(a)). Additionally, this declaration “does not constitute approval for the construction of specific projects or routes for transfer of water, or for financial assistance, by the state, without further legislative action, nor shall [it] be construed as a prohibition of the development of the water resources of the state by any entity.” (Wat. C. §10005(b)).

As a part of updating the Water Plan every five years, DWR is required to include a discussion of various strategies, including those relating to the development of new water storage facilities, water conservation, water recycling, desalination, conjunctive use, and water transfers that may be used to meet future water needs of the state. DWR is also required to conduct a study to determine the amount of water needed to meet the state’s future needs and to recommend programs, policies, and facilities to meet those needs. (Wat. C. §§10004.5, 10004.6). The next update is scheduled for 2028.

1. California’s Water Supply Strategy: Adapting to a Hotter Drier Climate. In August 2022, Governor Newsom released this strategy to address a projected 10% decrease in water supply (6–9 million acre-feet (MAF) of water per year) by 2040 due to climate change (DWR estimates a 10% reduction in water supply by 2040). To address this shortfall, the strategy sets various targets to generate new water supply, reduce demand, and develop additional storage by 2040. These targets are incorporated into the 2023 update to the Water Plan and include:
   
   1. New supply: 2.4 MAF to be achieved through increased water recycling (1.819 MAF), desalination (84,000 AF, and stormwater capture (500,000 AF)
   2. Demand reduction: 500,000 AF through increased water conservation.
   3. Expanded water storage: 4 MAF of surface water and groundwater recharge.

Comments

Purpose of the bill. According to the author, “A reliable and sustainable water supply is critical to every aspect of California's economy and the quality of life for all Californians. While recent storms have been helpful, a combination of factors, including the driest three-year period in 1,200 years, an aging infrastructure, a growing population and economy, antiquated state policies, and climate change, have created a challenge that threatens the survival of some communities and sectors of the economy and jobs. Despite decades of work to improve California's water system, our infrastructure remains inadequate to meet present needs and is woefully unprepared to meet future needs. [This bill] would establish necessary water supply targets to capture and produce enough water for all uses, including communities, agriculture, and the environment, by modernizing the California Water Plan for a 21st century climate. [This bill] would also update the requirement that state agencies develop a plan to achieve set targets, in consultation with local water agencies, wastewater service providers and other stakeholders. This bill is an important part of a comprehensive, long-term water supply solution that will transform water management for generations to come.”

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No

According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, “DWR reports it currently spends about $7.8 million annually on developing and updating the California Water Plan, with $3.4 million from the General Fund, about $1.1 million in data and investigations from the State Water Project, and about $3.3 million from various other sources in the form of participation and in-kind work from partner state agencies. DWR reports that new additional costs from this bill include:

• $2 million annually for five years for activities during the five-year California Water Plan update cycle, including to expand investigations and modeling of the state’s 10 hydrologic regions and to discuss environmental, urban, and agricultural needs.
• $35 million to $45 million over five years to conduct a cost/benefit analyses of achieving the targets, “including…various strategies and projects necessary to meet those targets,” which would include the three water use sectors (agriculture, urban, and environmental) identified in the bill, the state’s 10 hydrologic regions, and the 10 strategies identified in the bill. DWR states that even a “bare-bones look at projects and strategies within sectors, within regions would easily approach” its estimated costs of $35 million to $45 million.
• $650,000 one time to develop a report on regional and local water projects.
• $150,000 annually to develop a report to the Legislature.
• $2 million one time to assess the regional strategies and needs for the 2050 target study.
• $1.75 million one time for analysis of future water trends and identification of water to sustain public trust resources.
• $2 million one time to analyze current and future needs of disadvantaged and small water system and climate changes impacts on a regional level.

SWRCB reports costs of $4,275,000 annually ongoing for updating all designated beneficial uses for inclusion in the California Water Plan; for new extensive coordination with DWR on water rights, water quality, and drinking water; and for substantial enhancements to water boards’ data systems to meet new data requirements of this bill. SWRCB states that exact funding sources to cover these costs have not been identified but may potentially include some funding from the Waste Discharge Permit Fund, with remaining costs from the General Fund.  According to the Legislative Analyst’s Office, the General Fund faces a structural deficit in the tens of billions of dollars over the next several fiscal years.”

SUPPORT: (Verified 8/27/24)

California Council for Environmental & Economic Balance (co-source)
California Municipal Utilities Association (co-source)
California State Association of Counties (co-source)
Agricultural Council of California
American Muslims for Sustainability
Association of California Cities - Orange County
Association of California Egg Farmers
Association of California Water Agencies
Bay Area Council
Bellflower Somerset Mutual Water Company
Brea Chamber of Commerce
Building Industry Association of Southern California, INC.
Burbank Water and Power
CalDesal
California Alfalfa & Forage Association
California Alliance for Golf
California Alliance for Jobs
California Apple Commission
California Association of Realtors
California Association of Sanitation Agencies
California Association of Wheat Growers
California Association of Winegrape Growers
California Bean Shippers Association
California Blueberry Association
California Building Industry Association
California Business Roundtable
California Chamber of Commerce
California Citrus Mutual
California Cotton Ginners & Growers Association
California Farm Bureau
California Fresh Fruit Association
California Grain & Feed Association
California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
California Manufacturers & Technology Association
California Pear Growers Association
California Seed Association
California Special Districts Association
California State Council of Laborers
California State Floral Association
California Walnuts
California Warehouse Association
California Water Association
California Women for Agriculture
Calleguas Municipal Water District
Camrosa Water District
Canyon Lake, City of
Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce
City of Canyon Lake
City of Corona
City of Hemet
City of Jurupa Valley
City of Lake Elsinore
City of Lake Forest
City of Murrieta
City of Norco
City of Ontario
City of Riverside
City of Roseville
City of San Bernardino Municipal Water Department
City of Santa Rosa
City of Shasta Lake
Coachella Valley Water District
County of Riverside
Cucamonga Valley Water District
Desert Water Agency
Dublin Chamber of Commerce
East Bay Leadership Council
Eastern Municipal Water District
Economic Development Coalition
El Dorado Irrigation District
Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District
Far West Equipment Dealers Association
Folsom Chamber of Commerce
Friant Water Authority
Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce
Greater Riverside Chamber of Commerce
Grower-shipper Association
HDR Engineering, INC.
Industrial Environmental Association
Inland Empire Utilities Agency
Irvine Ranch Water District
Jurupa Community Services District
Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center
Kings River Conservation District
Kings River Water Association
Las Virgenes Municipal Water District
League of California Cities
Los Angeles Civil Rights Association
Los Angeles County Business Federation
Mammoth Lakes Tourism
McMullin Area Groundwater Sustainability Agency
Mesa Water District
Mid-peninsula Water District
Milk Producers Council
Modesto Irrigation District
Mojave Water Agency
Monday Morning Group of Western Riverside County
Monte Vista Water District
Municipal Water District of Orange County
Murrieta Wildomar Chamber of Commerce
National Federation of Independent Business
North Bay Leadership Council
Northern California Water Association
Olive Growers Council of California
Olivenhain Municipal Water District
Orange County Business Council
Otay Water District
Pacific Coast Renderers Association
Pacific Egg and Poultry Association
Palmdale Water District
Puente Basin Water Agency
Rancho California Water District
Rebuild Socal Partnership
Regional Water Authority
Rowland Water District
Rubio Canon Land and Water Association
Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce
San Bernardino Municipal Water Department
San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District
San Diego County Water Authority
San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments
San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership
San Gabriel Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce
San Jose Chamber of Commerce
San Juan Water District
Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority
Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency
Santa Margarita Water District
Shalom International
Solano County Water Agency
South San Joaquin Irrigation District
Southern California Water Coalition
Southwest California Legislative Council
Sperantia Foundation
State Water Contractors
Stockton East Water District
Three Valleys Municipal Water District
Trabuco Canyon Water District
Tri County Chamber Alliance
Turlock Irrigation District
United Ag
Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District
Valley Ag Water Coalition
Valley Center Municipal Water District
Valley County Water District
Walnut Valley Water District
Water Replenishment District of Southern California
West Basin Municipal Water District
West Valley Water District
Western Growers Association
Western Municipal Water District
Yorba Linda Water District
Zone 7 Water Agency