Amended
IN
Assembly
April 16, 2024 |
Introduced by Assembly Member Soria (Coauthor: Assembly Member Alanis) |
February 01, 2024 |
The bill would also make conforming changes.
(4)The temporary operation of existing infrastructure or temporary pumps being used to divert flood stage flows, as identified by the California Nevada River Forecast Center or the State Water Resources Control Board, or near-flood stage flows, which are defined to mean that flood stage flows are forecast within 10 days, to groundwater recharge as long as all of the following conditions are met:
(A)The diversions cease when the flows are no longer flood stage, near-flood stage, or within the State Water Resources Control Board permitted flows.
(B)Diverted water is not diverted or applied to any of the following:
(i)Dairy land application areas.
(ii)Any agricultural field where pesticide or fertilizer application has occurred in the last 30 days.
(iii)Any area that could cause damage to critical levees, infrastructure, wastewater and water systems, drinking water wells or drinking water supplies, or exacerbate the threat of flood and other health and safety concerns.
(iv)Any area that has not been in active irrigated agricultural cultivation within the past three years, including grazing lands, annual grasslands, and natural habitats. This limitation does not apply to facilities already constructed for the purpose of groundwater recharge or managed wetlands.
(C)The diversion utilizes all of the following:
(i)Existing diversion infrastructure or temporary pumps.
(ii)Existing groundwater recharge locations, where available.
(iii)No new permanent infrastructure or permanent construction.
(iv)Simple screens installed on pump intakes to minimize the impact of diversion to salmon and other aquatic life.
(D)Applicable fees are paid, pursuant to Section 1609.
(E)The temporary diversion is permitted by the State Water Resources Control Board under a temporary water rights permit.