SB-23 | Caballero
Water supply and flood risk reduction projects: expedited permitting.
This bill would require a project proponent, if already required to submit a notification to the [Department of Fish and Wildlife], to complete and submit environmental documentation to the department for the activity in the notification. The bill would require the department to take specified actions within 180 days, or a mutually agreed-to extension of time, of receiving notification from a project proponent.
This bill would require the state board or regional boards to use specified approved conservation and habitat management plans as watershed plans for purposes of implementing the procedures in issuing a project certification, unless the state board or regional boards issuing a project certification determine in writing that an approved plan does not substantially meet the definition of a watershed plan, as defined. The bill would place requirements on the state board and regional boards regarding its determination on what is considered a watershed plan, including making a proposed written determination, and providing for public comment and a written response on that proposed determination. The bill would require, by January 1, 2025, the state board to review and adopt general water quality certifications for general nationwide permits issued by the United States Army Corps of Engineers under specified federal law within the state for discharge of dredge and fill material in connection with water supply projects and flood risk reduction projects.
The bill would require, on January 1, 2025, and annually thereafter, the state board and regional boards to prepare, provide public notice of, make available for public review on their internet website, and submit to the relevant legislative committees, as specified, a report regarding specified information related to water supply projects and flood risk reduction projects.
This bill would authorize a state agency, defined to mean any agency, board, or commission, including the state board or the regional boards, with the power to issue a permit that would authorize a water supply project or authorize a flood risk reduction project, to take specified actions in order to complete permit review and approval in an expeditious manner. The bill would make findings and declarations related to the need to expedite water supply projects and flood risk reduction projects to better address climate change impacts while protecting the environment.