Groundwater sustainability plans: impacts on managed wetlands.
The bill emphasizes the significance of wetlands as critical natural resources in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley, highlighting their importance for biodiversity, such as migratory waterfowl and endangered species. By mandating that local groundwater sustainability agencies consider the impacts on managed wetlands, it aims to also reinforce the policies of protecting and restoring wetland habitats. This aligns local agency operations more closely with statewide goals for habitat preservation and ecosystem health.
Assembly Bill 2502, introduced by Assembly Member Quirk, aims to amend Section 10727.4 of the Water Code regarding groundwater sustainability plans, specifically focusing on the impacts to managed wetlands. The bill builds on existing laws under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, which requires high- and medium-priority groundwater basins to be managed under sustainability plans. In particular, the bill seeks to include impacts to managed wetlands as a key component of these sustainability plans, thereby ensuring that local agencies address the ecological consequences of groundwater management.
Despite its environmental goals, AB 2502 introduces a state-mandated local program without requiring reimbursement for costs incurred by local agencies, based on the rationale that they possess the authority to levy service charges or fees. This could raise concerns among local agencies about potential financial burdens, as they are responsible for ensuring that these new requirements do not result in economic strain while meeting state mandates. Therefore, while the bill supports substantial ecological aims, it might encounter pushback regarding fiscal implications for local governance.
A noteworthy aspect of AB 2502 is the insistence on collaboration with local agencies to evaluate and incorporate the impacts on managed wetlands within sustainability plans. This is consistent with a broader policy philosophy that favors cooperative management of resources across various stakeholders, including private and nonprofit organizations. The bill represents a proactive step towards enhancing the resilience of California’s critical water resources, specifically in the context of climate change and increasing water scarcity.