SB 224: Department of Water Resources: water supply forecasting.

Existing law requires the Department of Water Resources to gather and correlate information and data pertinent to an annual forecast of seasonal water crop. Existing law also requires the department 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.

This bill would require the department, on or before January 1, 2027, to adopt a new water supply forecasting model and procedures that better address the effects of climate change and implement a formal policy and procedures for documenting the departments operational plans and the departments rationale for its operating procedures, including the departments rationale for water releases from reservoirs. The bill would require the department, on or before January 1, 2028, and annually thereafter, to prepare and submit to the Legislature a report on its progress toward implementing the new forecasting model and to post the report on the departments internet website. The bill would also require the department, on or before January 1, 2028, and annually thereafter, to prepare and submit to the Legislature a report that explains the rationale for the departments operating procedures specific to the previous water year.

The bill would require the department, commencing in 2027 and annually thereafter, to present specified information, including the departments operational decisions and its rationale for the states water supply during the preceding water year, at 5 open and public meetings in specified locations. The bill would require the department to include the information presented at the meetings in a report, post the report on its internet website, and submit the report to the Legislature.