Water resources: permit to appropriate: application procedure.
The enactment of SB 797 would significantly impact the regulatory framework governing water rights in California. By mandating that notices and opportunities for protests be issued after 30 years of inaction on permit applications, the bill seeks to prevent the stagnation of water rights applications, which can limit local water management efforts and response to changing environmental conditions. This approach is expected to empower communities to actively engage in water resource management and oversight, ensuring that newer applications consider current social and environmental contexts.
Senate Bill 797, introduced by Senator Wilk, aims to amend the Water Code by adding Section 1305, which addresses the issue of lengthy delays in the permit application process for appropriating water. The bill stipulates that if the State Water Resources Control Board has not made a final decision on a permit application within 30 years, the board must issue a new notice and provide an opportunity for protests. This move is designed to enhance transparency and community involvement in the permitting process, ensuring that stakeholders have a voice in decisions impacting water resources.
Notable points of contention surrounding SB 797 include the implications for existing water rights and the administrative burden it may impose on the State Water Resources Control Board. Some proponents argue that the bill is essential for maintaining equitable access to water resources, counteracting potentially monopolistic practices in water appropriation. Conversely, opponents may express concerns regarding the potential for increased bureaucracy and the challenges facing the board to manage an influx of protests and reapplications resulting from this new requirement.