BILL ANALYSIS �
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|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SB 985|
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THIRD READING
Bill No: SB 985
Author: Pavley (D)
Amended: 5/7/14
Vote: 21
SENATE NATURAL RESOURCES AND WATER COMMITTEE : 8-0, 4/22/14
AYES: Pavley, Cannella, Evans, Hueso, Jackson, Lara, Monning,
Wolk
NO VOTE RECORDED: Fuller
SENATE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE : 6-0, 4/30/14
AYES: Hill, Gaines, Hancock, Jackson, Leno, Pavley
NO VOTE RECORDED: Fuller
SUBJECT : Stormwater resource planning
SOURCE : Author
DIGEST : This bill requires a stormwater resource plan to
identify and prioritize stormwater and dry weather runoff
capture projects for implementation in a prescribed quantitative
manner and to prioritize the use of lands or easements in public
ownership for stormwater and dry weather runoff projects.
ANALYSIS : Existing law authorizes under the Stormwater
Resource Planning Act, a city, county, or special district, to
develop a stormwater resource plan that meets certain standards.
This bill:
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1. Recasts the findings and declarations emphasizing that
stormwater and dry weather runoff are underutilized sources
of surface water and groundwater supplies that should be
captured and put to beneficial use. Proper planning and
implementation is vital to ensure that the water supply and
other benefits potentially available through better
management of stormwater and dry weather runoff do not come
at the expense of diminished water quality.
2. Defines stormwater and dry weather runoff, and makes
conforming changes to the Rainwater Capture Act of 2012.
3. Requires plans to also:
A. Identify and prioritize stormwater and dry weather
runoff capture projects for implementation in a
quantitative manner, using a metrics-based and
integrated evaluation and analysis of multiple benefits
to maximize water supply, water quality, flood
management, environmental, and other community benefits
within the watershed.
B. Identify and prioritize opportunities to use of lands
or easements in public ownership for stormwater and dry
weather runoff projects.
4. Requires, by July 1, 2016, the Water Resources Control Board
(Board) to establish a policy for compliance that must
include, but is not limited to, the following:
A. Identifying local agencies and nongovernmental
organizations that need to be consulted in developing a
stormwater resource plan.
B. Defining appropriate quantitative methods for
identifying and prioritizing opportunities for
stormwater and dry weather runoff capture projects.
C. Identifying prerequisites necessary for stormwater
resource plans to be considered as part of an
alternative compliance plan for municipal or stormwater
national pollutant discharge elimination system
permits.
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D. Other guidance the Board deems appropriate.
5. Requires the development of a stormwater resource plan and
compliance, under provisions of this bill, to receive grants
for stormwater and dry weather runoff capture projects from a
bond act approved by the voters after January 1, 2014.
6. Deletes the requirement that plans be consistent with
Integrated Regional Water Management Plans.
FISCAL EFFECT : Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local:
No
SUPPORT : (Verified 5/7/14)
City of Signal Hill
Community Conservation Solutions
Heal the Bay
Planning and Conservation League
Sierra Club California
The Trust for Public Land
OPPOSITION : (Verified 5/7/14)
City of Laguna Hills
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT : According to the author, "If we are
going to reduce our dependence on imported water through
regional solutions, we must become more frugal with our water.
In many parts of the state stormwater and dry weather runoff are
underutilized sources of surface water and groundwater supplies.
Instead of being viewed as a resource, they are often seen as a
problem that must be moved to the ocean as quickly as possible
or as a source of contamination, contributing to a loss of
usable water supplies and the pollution and impairment of
rivers, lakes, streams, and coastal waters.
"SB 985 builds on my SB 790 from 2009 by more finely focusing
the Stormwater Resources Act on the capture and use of
stormwater and dry weather runoff. Stormwater resource plans
remain voluntary. The bill now makes clear that the entity
creating the plan is responsible for developing the necessary
elements, including identifying public lands for potential
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projects and the development and use of appropriate analytics.
"We must be smarter in how we approach water management in
California. SB 985 represents an important part of that smarter
approach."
RM:d 5/7/14 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE
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