A bill introduced by California Sen. Melissa Hurtado (D-14-Sanger) would “reimagine water management in the 21st century” by forming a blue ribbon commission focused on sustainability in place of the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB).
Senate Bill 1219, the State Water Resiliency and Modernization Act, would dissolve the board and require the secretary of the Natural Resources Agency and the secretary for Environmental Protection to assemble a blue ribbon commission and present to the governor a “strategic vision, proposed statutes and recommendations for a modern, 21st century set of water agencies for the state.”
“We need to focus on better water management and true accountability. And modernizing our water system will do just that. We need government agencies that work for the people as they’re intended to, and Californians deserve the ability to make decisions surrounding our state’s number one resource—water,” Hurtado said in a statement.
“By eliminating the (SWRCB), we are giving power to those who their policies most greatly impact and are reimagining water management in the 21st century.”
Hurtado stressed in the press release that as the state experiences an increase in drought, there is a need for modern solutions that the “antiquated board has been unable to provide,” and adequate solutions are much needed.
According to the bill, the strategic vision should address the sustainable functions of ecosystem functions, land use, transportation use, utility use, recreation use and agriculture water supply use.
The commission would consist of specified heads of state agencies, including the secretary of Food and Agriculture, two members appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules and two appointed by the speaker of the Assembly. The bill would authorize the governor or the commission to appoint a citizen commission or advisory committee deemed necessary or desirable to assist in carrying out these provisions.
“I am proud to be a joint author on this bill that will help California navigate our worst drought since the late 1800s through smart water management systems that prioritize water conservation and replenishment efforts to aid our most affected communities,” said co-author Sen. Dave Cortese (D-15-Silicon Valley) in a statement.
Katie Roberti, director of communications for the California Cattlemen’s Association, told WLJthey haven’t fully reviewed the bill and do not have a position on it at this time. — Charles Wallace, WLJ editor
