California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: recycled water.
Impact
The bill aims to streamline the approval process for recycled water pipeline construction and expansion during drought emergencies, allowing these projects to move forward without the lengthy environmental review process typically mandated by CEQA. This legislative change is expected to facilitate quicker responses to water scarcity issues, particularly in critically overdrafted groundwater basins as designated by the Department of Water Resources. By reducing regulatory burdens, the bill promotes the development of necessary infrastructure to address immediate water crises.
Summary
Assembly Bill 231, introduced by Assembly Member Mathis, amends the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) by exempting certain projects related to recycled water pipelines from its requirements. This exemption applies specifically to projects designed to mitigate drought conditions, provided a state of emergency has been declared by the Governor and the projects meet specific criteria. These criteria ensure that the projects do not adversely affect wetlands or sensitive habitats and that construction impacts are fully mitigated.
Contention
While supporters argue that the bill is crucial for expediting necessary drought relief infrastructure, opponents may raise concerns about potential environmental risks associated with bypassing detailed environmental reviews. Critics might argue that such exemptions could lead to insufficient oversight of projects that, while urgent, might impact ecological and groundwater ecosystems. The legislation underscores an ongoing tension between environmental protection and urgent water management needs in a time of climate-induced challenges.