Countywide drought and water shortage contingency plans.
The legislation mandates the development and implementation of countywide drought and water shortage contingency plans, thereby setting a framework for local governments to assess their specific needs in water resource management. It is designed not only to inform counties and groundwater sustainability agencies about their vulnerable water suppliers but also to facilitate better integration of these plans into existing local hazard mitigation strategies.
Assembly Bill No. 2038, introduced by Assembly Member Gallagher, aims to address the lack of water shortage planning among small water suppliers and rural communities in California. The bill requires the Department of Water Resources, in consultation with relevant state and local agencies, to identify those communities at risk of drought and water shortage vulnerability. This represents a significant shift towards enhancing drought preparedness for areas that have previously been underserved by established water management requirements.
Supporters of AB 2038 argue that it fills a critical gap in California’s water management approach by explicitly addressing the needs of small water suppliers and rural communities that face unique challenges regarding water shortages. Critics, however, might voice concerns about the potential for added bureaucracy or lack of local control over water management decisions, questioning whether state-imposed plans will adequately reflect local conditions and priorities.