Here is the press release from the Department of Water Resources:
The California Water Commission today began the formal rulemaking process with the Office of Administrative Law for the first draft regulations for the Water Storage Investment Program. Today also begins a 45- day comment period on the draft regulations, with written public comments accepted through March 14, 2016.
Commission Chair Joe Byrne said the draft regulations “represent over a year of hard work and collaboration between the Commission, stakeholders and the public. We are excited to be moving forward to meet our statutory deadline. This is a significant milestone toward achieving the public benefits envisioned by Proposition 1.”
In November 2014, California voters approved Proposition 1, the Water Quality, Supply, and Infrastructure Improvement Act, a $7.5 billion water bond for investments in the state’s water management systems.
The bond dedicated $2.7 billion for investments in surface and groundwater storage projects and designated the California Water Commission as the agency responsible for appropriately allocating these funds. The Commission will select water storage projects for funding based on their public benefits through its Water Storage Investment Program.
The draft regulations were developed over the last year through an extensive public process and with the input of a representative Stakeholder Advisory Committee to provide a clear understanding of the Proposition 1 requirements, how to apply for public benefits funding and how to analyze the effects of climate change. The draft regulations can be found here: https://cwc.ca.gov/Pages/QuantificationRulemaking.aspx.
Proposition 1 requires the Commission to develop regulations to quantify the public benefits of water storage projects by December 15, 2016. The program will support the California Water Action Plan and its goal of a safe and reliable supply of water to support the state’s economy, environment and quality of life.
A public hearing on the regulations will be held on March 16, 2016 beginning at 9:30 am at the Resources building Auditorium located at 1416 Ninth Street in Sacramento. At this meeting, people are invited to submit verbal or written comments.
Written comments can be submitted to WSIPComments@cwc.ca.gov through March 14, 2015. Additional information is available at www.cwc.ca.gov.
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