FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 14, 2023

Sacramento, CA – The California State Association of Counties (CSAC) supports Governor Gavin Newsom’s recent Executive Order to remove barriers to allow for immediate groundwater replenishment and recharge while simultaneously protecting downstream areas at risk for flood. California is facing an unprecedented combination of major flood risks combined with extended drought conditions and threatening infrastructure to counties across the state.

“Counties support reducing flood risk while improving future groundwater supplies.” CSAC CEO Graham Knaus said. “The Governor’s order recognizes the urgency while looking into the future to save lives and improve water supply by allowing floodwaters to be re-directed to groundwater recharge projects across the state. Capturing water during the wet years, protecting communities, and relieving pressure on our water system is the right thing to do.”

Groundwater provides a critical source of water in California, accounting for approximately 40% of the state’s water supply in an average year and even more so in times of drought. Groundwater recharge, along with other water supply projects, is best achieved during wet years like the one we are currently experiencing. The Governor’s Executive Order allows water that would flow into streams and rivers, and threaten communities with flooding, to be diverted and spread out on farming and open space lands, improving groundwater recharge and helping maintain our water supply. The order additionally protects against groundwater contamination by prohibiting recharge in areas where contamination may occur with appropriate wildlife and habitat protections.

Other conditions of the order include:

• The diversion of flood flows must occur between March 10 and June 1, 2023 and be for flood management and associated with groundwater recharge;
• A local or regional flood control agency, city or county must provide notice that flows downstream of the point of diversion are at imminent risk of flooding and inundation of land, roads, or structures;
• Diversions must cease when the flood conditions have abated to the point there is no longer a risk of flooding and inundation of lands, roads or structures downstream of the point of diversion; and
• Diverted waters must not be applied to dairy land application areas, any agricultural field where pesticide or fertilizer application has occurred in the prior 30 days, and any area that could cause damage to critical levees, infrastructure, wastewater and drinking water systems or drinking water wells or drinking water suppliers.

CSAC continues to work with the Department of Water Resources, State Water Resources Control Board, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and our statewide water partners to expedite permitting of groundwater recharge projects with a focus on long-term permitting to capture high water year events.

The California State Association of Counties (CSAC) is the voice of California’s 58 counties.

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