BILL ANALYSIS �
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|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SB 1259|
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THIRD READING
Bill No: SB 1259
Author: Pavley (D), et al.
Amended: 5/27/14
Vote: 21
SENATE NATURAL RESOURCES AND WATER COMM. : 9-0, 4/29/14
AYES: Pavley, Cannella, Evans, Fuller, Hueso, Jackson, Lara,
Monning, Wolk
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE : 7-0, 5/23/14
AYES: De Le�n, Walters, Gaines, Hill, Lara, Padilla, Steinberg
SUBJECT : Dams: sedimentation studies
SOURCE : Author
DIGEST : This bill requires the Department of Water Resources
(DWR) to initiate investigations and gather data as needed to
study the loss of storage capacity behind dams resulting from
sedimentation. Authorizes the DWR to limit the sedimentation
study to those reservoirs the DWR anticipates will have either a
high volume of sedimentation or a high sedimentation rate.
ANALYSIS :
Existing law:
1.Supervises the DWR, under the police power of the state, the
construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, maintenance,
operation, and removal of dams and reservoirs for the
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protection of life and property. To this end, the DWR is
authorized to initiate investigations and gather data as
needed to study of the various features of the design and
construction of dams, reservoirs, and associated facilities.
2.Establishes as the policy of the state that the California
Water Plan (CWP), as amended, is accepted as the master plan
which guides the orderly and coordinated development,
management, and efficient utilization of the water resources
of the state. The DWR is required to update the CWP (every
five years).
This bill:
1.Requires the DWR to initiate investigations and gather data as
needed to study the loss of storage capacity behind dams
resulting from sedimentation.
2.Authorizes the DWR to limit the sedimentation study to those
reservoirs the DWR anticipates will have either a high volume
of sedimentation or a high sedimentation rate.
3.Provides that the sedimentation study may be based upon all of
the following:
A. A compilation of published and unpublished sedimentation
data from dam operators and other sources.
B. Original reservoir surveys at reservoirs lacking
sedimentation data, where the DWR deems appropriate.
C. Modeling, including techniques such as geographic
information system-based reservoir sedimentation modeling.
1.Provides that the DWR may complete an initial study by January
1, 2017, and further provides that the study include an
evaluation of cost-effective strategies for sediment removal,
relative to the costs of alternative methods of flood
protection and water supply.
2.Requires that the results of any sedimentation study be
reflected in the quinquennial update of the CWP.
3.Requires the DWR to identify high-priority reservoirs for
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additional evaluation within the study, for which the DWR
shall do both of the following:
A. Evaluate and characterize the sediment for mercury and
sediment size.
B. Identify and evaluate cost-effective strategies for
sediment removal, relative to the costs of alternative
methods of flood protection and water supply, including the
costs of constructing new dams and reservoirs.
Background
As part of updating the CWP, the DWR is required to conduct a
study to determine the amount of water needed to meet the
state's future needs and to recommend programs, policies, and
facilities to meet those needs.
One year before issuing each update to the CWP, the DWR is
required to release a preliminary draft of the assumptions and
other estimates upon which the study will be based, to
interested persons and entities throughout the state for their
review and comments. Existing law prescribes a broad list of
subjects which the DWR is required to release those assumptions
and estimates. These include, among others, topics such as
hydrology, groundwater conditions, land use patterns, levels of
conservation, and demographic projections.
In 2009, Water Resources Research published a paper by J. Toby
Minear and G. Matt Kondolf titled "Estimating reservoir
sedimentation rates at large spatial and temporal scales: A
case study of California." Based on their modeling, the authors
estimated "[s]tatewide reservoirs have likely filled with 2.1
billion m3 of sediment to date, decreasing total reservoir
capacity by 4.5%. About 200 reservoirs have likely lost more
than half their initial capacity to sedimentation." 2.1 billion
m3 of sediment is equivalent to about 1.7 million acre-feet.
FISCAL EFFECT : Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes
Local: No
According to the Senate Appropriations Committee, cost pressures
of approximately $10 million from the General Fund to DWR to
conduct sedimentation studies of the reservoirs in the state.
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SUPPORT : (Verified 5/27/14)
Sierra Club California
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT : According to the author, "Studies
suggest that the state's reservoirs have lost a significant
amount of storage capacity due to [sedimentation]. Restoring
that storage capacity could greatly increase the state's ability
to store water; potentially by millions of acre-feet.
Unfortunately, we don't have sufficient information to know
which reservoirs are most impacted and which have the greatest
potential for cost-effective sediment removal."
The author continues "SB 1259 addresses this problem by
directing DWR to study the loss of storage capacity behind dams
resulting from [sedimentation]. The initial study is to be
completed by January 2017, and include an evaluation of
cost-effective strategies for sediment removal, relative to the
costs of alternative methods of flood protection and water
supply. This information would then be used to help update the
California Water Plan."
RM:k 5/27/14 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE
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