Law Regulating Groundwater Supply Signed

Gov. Jerry Brown Signed Legislation Overhauling the State'sManagement of Its Groundwater Supply, Bringing it in Line with Other States that Have Long Regulated Their Wells

Groundwater makes up nearly 60% of the state's water use during dry years, but is not monitored and managed the same way as water from reservoirs and rivers.

Supporters of the legislation say the worst drought in a generation inspired them to rethink California's pump-as-you-please approach, which has led to sinking land and billions of dollars in damage to aquifers, roads and canals.

"This is a big deal," Gov. Brown said at the signing ceremony in his office. "It has been known about for decades that underground water has to be managed in some way."

The package signed into law requires some local governments and water districts to begin managing their wells, and authorizes state water agencies to intervene if necessary. It also allows for water metering and fines to monitor and enforce restrictions.

SB1168, SB1319 and AB1739 by Assemblyman Roger Dickinson, a Democrat from Sacramento, and Sen. Fran Pavley, a Democrat from Agoura Hills, passed in the final days of the legislative session over objections from Republican lawmakers and Central Valley Democrats.

The opposition was driven byagricultural intereststhat are increasingly dependent on pumping from wells as reservoirs dry up and government water allocations plunge in the drought. They say the legislation was rushed and punishes well-managed agencies while infringing on property rights.

Source: The Wall Street Journal

Read More Related Content On This Topic - Click Here

Media

Taxonomy

• Water Law
• Groundwater Recharge
• Governance & Planning