Bill > AB717

This bill amends California's Water Code to expand water rights registration provisions, primarily by introducing a new category called "small restoration use" for water appropriation. The bill allows individuals to register water rights for restoration projects that aim to preserve or enhance fish and wildlife habitats, with specific limits on water diversion (up to 42,000 gallons per day or 20 acre-feet per year). A unique aspect of these restoration use registrations is that they must include commitments to reduce water diversions during times of low streamflow, and the State Water Resources Control Board must determine that the environmental benefits outweigh any potential adverse impacts. The bill also modifies the process for stream segments where the Director of Fish and Wildlife has proposed streamflow requirements, now stipulating that water use registrations cannot be authorized until the board establishes specific instream flow requirements after considering the director's proposed requirements. Additionally, for small restoration use registrations, applicants may need to obtain a restoration management permit from the Department of Fish and Wildlife and include any associated conditions in their registration. These changes aim to provide a more environmentally conscious framework for small-scale water rights registration, with a particular focus on protecting and restoring fish and wildlife habitats.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB717