HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 04161985 - W.1 Contra
TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Costa
FROM: WATER COMMITTEE Cou
qy
DATE: APRIL 8, 1985
SUBJECT: WATER COMMITTEE REPORT - LEGISLATION
Specific Requests or Recommendations & Background & Justification
RECOMMENDED ACTION
1. - The Board of Supervisors, as Governing Board of the Contra Costa County Water Agency,
take the following positions on the legislation listed below:
AB 1156 - Groundwater Recharge Facilities Financing (2/28/85) - Support
AB 1287 - Water Conservation Retrofit Devices (3/4/85) - Support
AB 1657 - Water Resources: State Facilities (3/7/85) - Support
AB 1658 - Agricultural Water Management Planning (3/7/85) - Support
AB 1982 - Water Conservation: State Bonds (3/8/85) - Support
AB 2010 - Central Valley Project Task Force (3/8/85) - Support
AB 2228 - San Francisco Bay: Protection (3/8/85) - Support
AB 2403 - Water Quality Control (3/8/85) - Support
ACA 16 - Water Resources Development (3/5/85) - Support
ACR 26 - Joint Committee on Drainage of Agricultural Lands (2/9/85) - Support, if amended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
None.
REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS/BACKGROUND
The Water Committee, at its April 8, 1985 meeting, considered each of the proposed legisla-
tive bills and examined the rationale that justified the above-stated positions for consis-
tency with the County's established water policy. Attached is a summary of the bills and
the rationale for County positions.
Continued on attachment: yes Signature:
Recommendation of County Administrator Recommendation of Board Committee
Approve Other:
Signature(s):
Tom Torlakson Sunne Wright McPeak
Action of Board on: APR 16 1985 Approved as Recommended ✓Other,
Vote of Supervisors I HEREBY CERTIFY- THAT THIS IS A TRUE
AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
Unanimous (Absent ) AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE
Ayes: Noes: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON DATE SHOWN.
Absent: Abstain: APR 161985
DBOcl - wc.bo- eT gis.t4 Attested
Orig. Div.: Public Works (EC) PHIL BATCHELOR, CLERK
cc: County Administrator OF THE BOARD AND COUNTY
County Legislative Delegation (via EC) ADMINISTRATOR
Cressey Nakagawa, Water Agency Atty. (via EC)
By ,
PUTY CLERK
Contra Costa Public Works
Environmental Control
S-21
Summary Report #3
POSITIONS OF THE CONTRA COSTA COUNTY WATER AGENCY
ON SELECTED 1985-1986. WATER LEGISLATION
(Approved April 16, 1985)
AB 823 - COSTA - STRIPED BASS - 2/20/85
Summary
This bill would extend until 1990 the requirement to affix a three-dollar striped
bass stamp onto the fishing license of striped bass sports fishers. At present,
this requirement expires 1/1/86. Funds from the stamps go toward restoring and
enhancing the striped bass fishery in California.
Recommended Position
No position at this time.
Rationale
This bill was referred by the Water Committee to the Fish and Wildlife Study
Committee. The Fish and Wildlife Study Committee recommended support for the
bill if it is amended to include:
I. An annual report of expenditures and studies underway.
2. . Yearly approval of the Legislature of the continuance and the amount of the
stamp.
3. Continued use of the striped bass fund advisory committee to approve 'all
expenditures from the fund.
The Committee was informed that amendments to the bill are expected and recommended
that the Board not take a position on the bill at this time.
AB 1156 - AREIAS - GROUNDWATER RECHARGE FACILITIES FINANCING - 2/28/85
Summary
This bill would make grants available to local agencies for groundwater recharge
feasibility studies. It would also make loans available for carrying out feasible
projects. Priority is given to projects in overdrafted groundwater basins,
projects of critical need, with greatest economic justification and with greatest
engineering/hydregeologic feasibility. The bill allocates $7 .million from the
General Fund for the program.
2
Recommended Position
Support.
Rationale
This bill is virtually identical to AB 3626 which was passed by the Legislature
in the 1983/84 Session, but was vetoed by the Governor. AB 3626 was part of the
Governor's water program. Last year, the Board supported AB 3626 because it was
consistent with the County's policy on encouraging groundwater management and
conjunctive use of surface and ground waters.
AB 1286 - HANNIGAN - WATER & ENERGY CONSERVATION: RETROFIT DEVICES - 3/4/85
Summary
This bill would appropriate an unspecified sum for the purchase and distribution
of water and energy conserving retrofit devices.
Recommended Position
No position, at this time.
Rationale
This is a spot deal . Although the subject of the bill is consistent with County
policy, the Board should wait until the amount of the appropriation is amended
into the bill before the County takes a position on it.
AB 1287 - HANNIGAN - CONSERVATION RETROFIT DEVICES - 3/4/85
Summary
By this bill, sellers of residential, commercial, or industrial property must
install energy and water conservation retrofit devices on showers and water
closets prior to the time of sale.
Recommended Position
Support.
Rationale
This bill is consistent with the County's policy of encouraging water conservation
for urban water users. This bill specifically addresses retrofitting water
fixtures in properties. Existing laws and regulations address water conservation
devices for new properties, but do not address retrofit of older properties as
this bill does.
3
AB 1657 - ISENBERG- WATER RESOURCES: STATE FACILITIES - 3/7/85.
Summary
At present, the Department of Water Resources is involved in the design, construc-
tion, operation, and maintenance of specified water development facilities. This
bill would include water conservation, reclamation, and wastewater reduction
facilities; facilities for use of surface and groundwater in the South San
Francisco Bay area, in San Joaquin Valley, and in Southern California; and
facilities for purchases from already developed water.
Recommended Position
Support.
Rationale
This bill is consistent with the County's policies supporting water conservation
and conjunctive uses. It is appropriate that the Department of Water Resources
assist their contractors in these efforts.
AB 1658 - ISENBERG - AGRICULTURAL WATER MANAGEMENT PLANNING- 3/7/85
Summary
This bill would establish as State
policy that water use conservation shall
protect the people and the water resources and shall be used as the guiding
criterion in public decisions on water. Agricultural water suppliers must each
develop a water management plan to achieve conservation. The plan shall include
water supply and demand, sources of water supply, the itemized price paid from
those sources, crop inventory by acreage and water use, the projected effects"on
demand of future price increases, identification of conservation measures in use,
and evaluation of irrigation practices and alternative conservation measures. In
addition, the following shall also be evaluated: wastewater reclamation, peak
demands, pressures on the water system, incentives to alter water use practices,
and effects by reduced water use on downstream water quality.
Recommended Position
Support.
Rationale
This bill is • consistent with the County's policies concerning the need for
agricultural water conservation. A bill was passed in the last legislative
session requiring urban water conservation management plans. This bill is an
agricultural counterpart to that bill.
4
AB 1982 - COSTA - WATER CONSERVATION: STATE BONDS - 3/8/85
Summary
This bill would enact the Water Conservation Bond Law of 1985 which would provide,
conditioned upon approval of the State electorate, the issuance of $50 million of
State General Obligation Bonds to provide loans to local agencies for water
conservation programs.
Recommended Position
Support.
Rationale
The Clean Water Bond Law of 1984 which was approved by the voters allocated $10
million out of $325 million for water conservation measures. The County supported
the 1984 Clean Water Bond Law. This bill would further the development of cost-
effective water conservation and is, therefore, consistent with the County' s
policy of encouraging water conservation.
AB 2010 - ISENBERG - CENTRAL VALLEY PROJECT TASK FORCE - 3/8/85
Summary
This bill would establish a task force to evaluate operation of the federal
Central Valley Project by the Department of Water Resources. The task force
shall submit recommendations to the Governor and Legislature concerning financial
and operational questions,. employee transfer issues, and water resource management
coordination.
Recommended Position
Support.
Rationale
There has been long-standing criticism of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's
management of the Central Valley Project, in particular, their lack of concerns
for environmental issues. The proposed task force would investigate various
options of management of the Central Valley Project including State management of
the Central Valley Project.
AB 2228 - SHER - SAN FRANCISCO BAY: PROTECTION - 3/8/85
Summary '
This bill would require the State Water Resources Control Board to conduct a
comprehensive review of all existing data on water quality standards for the
5
protection of San Francisco Bay. The bill also requires the Board to adopt
standards for the protection of the Bay by January 1, 1987.
Recommended Position
Support.
Rational
This bill is consistent with the County's policy of protecting the water quality
of San Francisco .Bay. Currently, there is no plan protection of San Francisco
Bay water quality. This bill would quicken the process for San Francisco Bay
standards which is currently envisioned to be decided upon in 1988 after hearings
are held in consideration of the Water Rights Permits for the Central Valley
Project and the State Water Project.
AB 2403 - FILANTE - WATER QUALITY CONTROL - 3/8/85
Summary
This bill would direct the State Water Resources Control Board, when developing
water quality standards, to consult with the State Department of Health Services.
Recommended Position
Support.
Rationale
In recent years, there has been greater concern about the health aspects of water
quality. Requiring the State Water Resources Control Board to consult with
health experts in the State Department of Health Services would aid in insuring
that water quality matters are thoroughly investigated.
ACA 16 - BATES - WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT - 3/5/85
Summary
This measure concerns existing provisions by the Water Code protecting areas of
origin and the Delta. No statute amending these provisions may become effective
unless approved by the voters in the same manner as initiative statutes are
approved, except by a 2/3 vote of the Legislature if the statute does not reduce
protections.
Recommended Position
Support.
6
Rationale
This bill would make it more difficult to change any of the laws concerning areas
of origin and Delta protection. Any change would require a vote of the people of
California, except to increase protections a 2/3 vote of the Legislature would
only be necessary. While this bill may further protect laws concerning area of
origin and Delta protection, it may make it more difficult to add further protec-
tions. It appears that the benefits of additional protection would outweigh loss
of future flexibility. This bill is similar to SCA 17.
ACR 26 - COSTA - JOINT COMM MEE ON DRAINAGE OF AGRICULTURAL LANDS - 2/9/85
Summary
This measure would create the Joint Committee on Drainage of Agricultural Lands
which would ascertain, study, analyze, and evaluate various matters regarding
drainage of agricultural lands, including the transport and reduction in levels
of salt, elements, and toxic substances in these lands. It would require the
Joint Committee to make certain determinations, including determinations regarding
the impact of irrigation return flows on the beneficial of State water, and
methods for draining salt and removing toxic substances from agricultural lands.
An advisory committee would be established consisting of persons knowledgeable in
the subject of irrigation and the drainage of agricultural lands.
Recommended Position
Support if amended.
Rationale
The creation of a legislative committee to study the agricultural drainage
situation could be beneficial to solving the drainage problems in the San Joaquin
Valley. The only concern with this bill is that the advisory committee established
to assist the committee and staff would be made up of only persons knowledgeable
about irrigation and drainage of agricultural lands. Because some of the solutions
for the drainage problem may impact other areas, including Contra Costa County,
it is appropriate that the advisory committee include a broader range of expertise
including experts on water quality and fish and wildlife issues. The bill should
be amended to broaden the scope of the advisory committee.
DBOcl 12apr85
wa. leg.rpt3.8586
1. Legislation proposed .Bill rAB.n:11.5.6. support.
2 . Water Groundwater rechg fac financing
3 . Legislation proposed Bill AB 1287 support
4 . Water conservation retrofit devices I
S . Legislation proposed Bill AB 1657 support
6 . Water resources state facilities
7 . Legislation proposed Bill AB 1658 support \�
8 . Water Agricultural water management planning i
R, 9 . 'Legislation proposed Bill AB 1982 support
10.. Water conservation State bonds support
11. Legislation proposed Bill AB 2010 support
12 . Water Central valley project task force
13. Legislation proposed Bill 2228 support
14.. Water San Francisco Bay Protection
15 . Legislation proposed Bill AB. 24?0.3>-
16 . Water quality control 1
17 . Legislation proposed Bill ACA 16 . supporti
18 . Water -resources' dev .; '.
19 . Legislation proposed Bill ACR 26 support' if amend
20 . Water Joint, `c e^ on drainage of agricultiral lands
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