BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 1200
Page 1
Date of Hearing: May 15, 2013
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Mike Gatto, Chair
AB 1200 (Levine) - As Amended: May 8, 2013
Policy Committee: Water, Parks and
Wildlife Vote: 15-0
Environmental Safety and Toxic
Materials 7-0
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable:
SUMMARY
This bill requires the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality
Control Board (SF Regional Board) to authorize a voluntary
five-year pilot project within the Counties of Napa and Sonoma
to investigate potential water quality impacts and water supply
benefits associated with allowing agricultural irrigation
impoundments containing recycled water to overflow during storm
events. Specifically, this bill:
1)Requires, before October 1, 2014, the San Francisco Regional
Board to authorize the voluntary pilot project if the board
finds the proposed pilot project satisfies specified criteria.
2)Requires the proposed pilot project to identify all costs
associated with the project and secure funding prior to pilot
project implementation.
3)Establishes a stakeholder advisory committee and schedule for
developing the various project components and reports.
4)Requires a final report to be issued to the San Francisco
Regional Board and the State Water Resources Control Board
(SWRCB)
5)Sunsets the provisions governing the pilot project on January
1, 2018.
FISCAL EFFECT
AB 1200
Page 2
1)Unknown significant cost pressures on state bond funds. The
initiation of this pilot project is contingent upon the
project proponent securing local or state bond funding.
2)Minor, absorbable costs to SF Regional Board and SWRCB to
participate in the pilot.
COMMENTS
1)Rationale. According to the author, farmers in the
water-scarce Los Carneros grape-growing region of the Sonoma
and Napa Valleys want to store and use high-quality recycled
water for irrigation and frost protection but a lack of
environmental impact data has resulted in potential
restrictions.
The author intends this bill to develop scientific evidence to
help determine any potential impacts resulting from occasional
rainy-season run-off.
Other supporters state that this bill is designed to address an
unfortunate situation in the Sonoma and Napa Valleys where the
water agency and agricultural landowners risk penalties if small
irrigation ponds storing high-quality recycled water overflow
despite water quality permits allowing for discharge, tidal
habitat restoration, and agricultural irrigation within the same
watershed and using the same [recycled] water. Supporters
contend this fear of penalties has limits their ability to use
highly-treated recycled water to its greatest potential.
2)Proposed Amendment, The author has proposed an amendment to
clarify that this bill will not result in state cost pressure.
Analysis Prepared by : Jennifer Galehouse / APPR. / (916)
319-2081