BILL ANALYSIS �
SB 1259
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Date of Hearing: August 6, 2014
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Mike Gatto, Chair
SB 1259 (Pavley) - As Amended: May 27, 2014
Policy Committee: Natural
ResourcesVote:14-0
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable:
SUMMARY
This bill requires the Department of Water Resources (DWR) to
investigate and evaluate the loss of storage capacity behind
dams resulting from sedimentation. Specifically, this bill:
1)Authorizes DWR to initiate investigations and gather data as
needed to study the loss of storage capacity behind dams
resulting from sedimentation (the accumulation of solids) and
allows DWR to focus on reservoirs with a high volume or rate
of sedimentation.
2)Requires DWR to complete an initial study by January 1, 2017,
and requires the study to include an evaluation of
cost-effective strategies for sediment removal, relative to
the costs of alternative methods of flood protection and water
supply.
3)Authorizes the sedimentation study to be based on data from
dam operators and other sources, original reservoir studies as
appropriate, and sedimentation modeling.
4)Requires DWR to identify high-priority reservoirs for
additional evaluation, including mercury content, as
specified.
5)Requires an estimated loss of storage capacity behind dams
resulting from sedimentation to be included in DWR's
California Water Plan updates and a provided to the
appropriate policy committees of the Senate and Assembly.
FISCAL EFFECT
SB 1259
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Significant GF costs to DWR in the tens of millions of dollars
range depending on the nature and number of dams studied.
The state is responsible for monitoring the safety of over 1200
dams. DWR estimates the costs of sedimentation studies to range
from $100,000 to $500,000 per dam. This bill allows DWR to
limit the studies to dams likely to have high rates of
sedimentation. If DWR limited its studies to 5% of the dams,
costs would range between $6 million and $30 million.
COMMENTS
1)Purpose. According to the author, studies show the state's
reservoirs have lost a significant amount of storage capacity
due to siltation (the accumulation of sediments). The
restoration of this capacity might increase the state's
ability to store water. This bill provides the information
necessary to determine which reservoirs are most impacted and
have the greatest potential for cost-effective sediment
removal.
2)Background. There are currently about 1,200 dams/reservoirs
for which DWR is responsible for supervising construction,
enlargement, alteration, repair, maintenance, operation and
removal of dams and reservoirs to ensure property protection
and public safety. DWR is only responsible for the water
supply capacities of the very few reservoirs owned or operated
by the state. This bill requires DWR to study the capacities
of reservoirs owned by power utilities, the federal
government, and local agencies.
3)The California Water Plan. The California Water Plan is the
state's master plan to guide the coordinated development,
management and efficient utilization of the water resources of
the state. DWR is required to update the Water Plan every
five years. A draft update was released last year for public
comment and is anticipated to be finalized this year.
Analysis Prepared by : Jennifer Galehouse / APPR. / (916)
319-2081
SB 1259
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