http://gov.ca.gov/docs/4.1.15_Executive_Order.pdf
EXECUTIVE ORDER B-29-15
WHEREAS on January 17, 2014, I proclaimed a State of Emergency to exist throughout the State of California due to severe drought conditions; and
WHEREAS on April 25, 2014, I proclaimed a Continued State of Emergency to exist throughout the State of California due to the ongoing drought; and
WHEREAS California’s water supplies continue to be severely depleted despite a limited amount of rain and snowfall this winter, with record low snowpack in the Sierra Nevada mountains, decreased water levels in most of California’s reservoirs, reduced flows in the state’s rivers and shrinking supplies in underground water basins; and
WHEREAS the severe drought conditions continue to present urgent challenges including: drinking water shortages in communities across the state, diminished water for agricultural production, degraded habitat for many fish and wildlife species, increased wildfire risk, and the threat of saltwater contamination to fresh water suppliesin the Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay Delta; and
WHEREAS a distinct possibility exists that the current drought will stretch into a fifth straight year in 2016 and beyond; and
WHEREAS new expedited actions are needed to reduce the harmful impacts from water shortages and other impacts of the drought; and
WHEREAS the magnitude of the severe drought conditions continues to present threats beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of any single local government and require the combined forces of a mutual aid region or regions to combat; and
WHEREAS under the provisions of section 8558(b) of the Government Code, I find that conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property continue to exist in California due to water shortage and drought conditions with which local authority is unable to cope; and
WHEREAS under the provisions of section 8571 of the California Government Code, I find that strict compliance with various statutes and regulations specified in this order would prevent, hinder, or delay the mitigation of the effects of the drought.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, EDMUND G. BROWN JR., Governor of the State of California, in accordance with the authority vested in me by the Constitution and statutes of the State of California, in particular Government Code sections 8567 and 8571 of the California Government Code, do hereby issue this Executive Order, effective immediately.
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:
1. The orders and provisions contained in my January 17, 2014 Proclamation, my April 25, 2014 Proclamation, and Executive Orders B-26-14 and B-28-14 remain in full force and effect except as modified herein.
SAVE WATER
- The State Water Resources Control Board (Water Board) shall impose restrictions to achieve a statewide 25% reduction in potable urban water usage through February 28, 2016. These restrictions will require water suppliers to California’s cities and towns to reduce usage as compared to the amount used in 2013. These restrictions should consider the relative per capita water usage of each water suppliers’ service area, and require that those areas with high per capita use achieve proportionally greater reductions than those with low use. The California Public Utilities Commission is requested to take similar action with respect to investor-owned utilities providing water services.
- The Department of Water Resources (the Department) shall lead a statewide initiative, in partnership with local agencies, to collectively replace 50 million square feet of lawns and ornamental turf with drought tolerant landscapes. The Department shall provide funding to allow for lawn replacement programs in underserved communities, which will complement local programs already underway across the state.
- The California Energy Commission, jointly with the Department and the Water Board, shall implement a time-limited statewide appliance rebate program to provide monetary incentives for the replacement of inefficient household devices.
- The Water Board shall impose restrictions to require that commercial, industrial, and institutional properties, such as campuses, golf courses, and cemeteries, immediately implement water efficiency measures to reduce potable water usage in an amount consistent with the reduction targets · ·· · mandated by Directive 2 of this Executive Order.
- The Water Board shall prohibit irrigation with potable water of ornamental turf on public street medians.
- The Water Board shall prohibit irrigation with potable water outside of newly constructed homes and buildings that is not delivered by drip or microspray systems.
8. The Water Board shall direct urban water suppliers to develop rate structures and other pricing mechanisms, including but not limited to surcharges, fees, and penalties, to maximize water conservation consistent with statewide water restrictions. The Water Board is directed to adopt emergency regulations, as it deems necessary, pursuant to Water Code section 1058.5 to implement this directive. The Water Board is further directed to work with state agencies and water suppliers to identify mechanisms that would encourage and facilitate the adoption of rate structures and other pricing mechanisms that promote water conservation. The California Public Utilities Commission is requested to take similar action with respect to investor-owned utilities providing water services.
INCREASE ENFORCEMENT AGAINST WATER WASTE
9. The Water Board shall require urban water suppliers to provide monthly information on water usage, conservation, and enforcement on a permanent basis.
10. The Water Board shall require frequent reporting of water diversion and use
by water right holders, conduct inspections to determine whether illegal diversions or wasteful and unreasonable use of water are occurring, and bring enforcement actions against illegal diverters and those engaging in the
wasteful and unreasonable use of water. Pursuant to Government Code sections 8570 and 8627, the Water Board is granted authority to inspect
property or diversion facilities to ascertain compliance-with water rights laws
and regulations where there is cause to believe such laws and regulations
have been violated. When access is not granted by a property owner, the
Water Board may obtain an inspection warrant pursuant to the procedures set 1 forth in Title 13 (commencing with section 1822.50) of Part 3 of the Code ofCivil Procedure for the purposes of conducting an inspection pursuant to this directive .
11. The Department shall update the State Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance through expedited regulation. This updated Ordinance shall increase water efficiency standards for new and existing landscapes through more efficient irrigation systems, greywater usage, onsite storm water capture, and by limiting the portion of landscapes that can be covered in turf. It will also require reporting on the implementation and enforcement of local ordinances, with required reports due by December 31, 2015. The Department shall provide information on local compliance to the Water Board, which shall consider adopting regulations or taking appropriate enforcement actions to promote compliance. The Department shall provide technical assistance and give priority in grant funding to public agencies for actions necessary to comply with local ordinances.
12. Agricultural water suppliers that supply water to more than 25,000 acres shall include in their required 2015 Agricultural Water Management Plans a detailed drought management plan that describes. the actions and measures the supplier will take to manage water demand during drought. The Department shall require those plans to include quantification of water supplies and demands for 2013, 2014, and 2015 to the extent data is available. The Department will provide technical assistance to water suppliersinpreparingtheplans.
13. Agricultural water suppliers that supply water to 10,000 to 25,000 acres of irrigated lands shall develop Agricultural Water Management Plans and submit the plans to the Department by July 1, 2016. These plans shall include a detailed drought management plan and quantification of water supplies and demands in2013, 2014, and 2015, to the extent that data is available. The Department shall give priority in grant funding to agricultural water suppliers that supply water to 10,000 to 25,000 acres of land for development and implementation of Agricultural Water Management Plans.
- The Department shall report to Water Board on the status of the Agricultural Water Management Plan submittals within one month of receipt of those reports.
- Local water agencies in high and medium priority groundwater basins shall immediately implement all requirements of the California Statewide Groundwater Elevation Monitoring Program pursuant to Water Code section 10933. The Department shall refer noncompliant local water agencies within high and medium priority groundwater basins to the Water Board by December 31, 2015, which shall consider adopting regulations or taking appropriate enforcement to promote compliance.
- The California Energy Commission shall adopt emergency regulations establishing standards that improve the efficiency of water appliances, including toilets, urinals, and faucets available for sale and installation in new and existing buildings.
INVEST IN NEW TECHNOLOGIES
17. The California Energy Commission, jointly with the Department and the Water Board, shall implement a Water Energy Technology (WET) program to deploy innovative water management technologies for businesses, residents, industries, and agriculture. This program will achieve water and energy savings and greenhouse gas reductions by accelerating use of cutting-edge technologies such as renewable energy-powered desalination, integrated on- site reuse systems, water-use monitoring software, irrigation system timing and precision technology, and on-farm precision technology.
STREAMLINE GOVERNMENT RESPONSE
18. The Office of Emergency Services and the Department of Housing and Community Development shall work jointly with counties to provide temporary assistance for persons moving from housing units due to a lack of potable water who are served by a private well or water utility with less than 15 connections, and where all reasonable attempts to find a potable water source have been exhausted.
19. State permitting agencies shall prioritize review and approval of water infrastructure projects and programs that increase local water supplies, including water recycling facilities, reservoir improvement projects, surface water treatment plants, desalination plants, stormwater capture, and greywater systems. Agencies shall report to the Governor’s Office on applications that have been pending for longer than 90 days.
- The Department shall take actions required to plan and, if necessary, implement Emergency Drought Salinity Barriers in coordination and consultation with the Water Board and the Department of Fish and Wildlife at locations within the Sacramento- San Joaquin delta estuary. These barriers will be designed to conserve water for use later in the year to meet state and federal Endangered Species Act requirements, preserve to the extent possible water quality in the Delta, and retain water supply for essential human health and safety uses in 2015 and in the future.
- The Water Board and the Department of Fish and Wildlife shall immediately consider any necessary regulatory approvals for the purpose of installation of the Emergency Drought Salinity Barriers.
- The Department shall immediately consider voluntary crop idling water transfer and water exchange proposals of one year or less in duration that are initiated by local public agencies and approved in 2015 by the Department subject to the criteria set forth in Water Code section 1810.
- The Water Board will prioritize new and amended safe drinking water permits that enhance water supply and reliability for community water systems facing water shortages or that expand service connections to include existing residences facing water shortages. As the Department of Public Health’s drinking water program was transferred to the Water Board, any reference to the Department of Public Health in any prior Proclamation or Executive Order
listed in Paragraph 1 is deemed to refer to the Water Board.
- The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection shall launch a public information campaign to educate the public on actions they can take to help to prevent wildfires including the proper treatment of dead and dying trees. Pursuant to Government Code section 8645, $1 .2 million from the State Responsibility Area Fire Prevention Fund (Fund 3063) shall be allocated to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to carry out this directive.
- The Energy Commission shall expedite the processing of all applications or petitions for amendments to power plant certifications issued by the Energy Commission for the purpose of securing alternate water supply necessary for continued power plant operation. Title 20, section 1769 of the California Code of Regulations is hereby waived for any such petition, and the Energy Commission is authorized to create and implement an alternative process to consider such petitions. This process may delegate amendment approval authority, as appropriate, to the Energy Commission Executive Director. The Energy Commission shall give timely notice to all relevant local, regional, and state agencies of any petition subject to this directive, and shall post on its website any such petition.
26.
For purposes of carrying out directives 2-9, 11, 16-17, 20-23, and 25, Division 13 (commencing with section 21 000) of the Public Resources Code and regulations adopted pursuant to that Division are hereby
suspended. This suspension applies to any actions taken by state agencies, and for actions taken by local agencies where the state agency with primary responsibility for implementing the directive concurs that local action is required, as well as for any necessary permits or approvals required to complete these actions. This suspension, and those specified in paragraph 9 of the January 17, 2014 Proclamation, paragraph 19 of the April 25, 2014 proclamation, and paragraph 4 of Executive Order B-26-14, shall remain in effect until May 31, 2016. Drought relief actions taken pursuant to these paragraphs that are started prior to May 31, 2016, but not completed, shall not be subject to Division 13 (commencing with section 21 000) of the Public Resources Code for the time required to complete them.For purposes of carrying out directives 20 and 21, section 13247 and Chapter 3 of Part 3 (commencing with section 85225) of the Water Code are suspended.
For actions called for in this proclamation in directive 20, the Department shall exercise any authority vested in the Central Valley Flood Protection Board, as codified in Water Code section 8521, et seq., that is necessary to enable these urgent actions to be taken more quickly than otherwise possible. The Director of the Department of Water Resources is specifically authorized, on behalf of the State of California, to request that the Secretary of the Army, on the recommendation of the Chief of Engineers of the Army Corps of Engineers, grant any permission required pursuant to section 14 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 and codified in section 48 of title 33 of the United States Code.
The Department is directed to enter into agreements with landowners for the purposes of planning and installation of the Emergency Drought Barriers in2015 to the extent necessary to accommodate access to barrier locations, land-side and water-side construction, and materials staging in proximity to barrier locations. Where the Department is unable to reach an agreement with landowners, the Department may exercise the full authority of Government Code section 8572. ·
For purposes of this Executive Order, chapter 3.5 (commencing with section 11340) of part 1 of division 3 of the Government Code and chapter 5 (commencing with section 25400) of division 15 of the Public Resources Code are suspended for the development and adoption of regulations or guidelines needed to carry out the provisions in this Order. Any entity issuing regulations or guidelines pursuant to this directive shall conduct a public .meeting on the regulations and guidelines prior to adopting them.
31. In order to ensure that equipment and services necessary for drought response can be procured quickly, the provisions of the Government Code and the Public Contract Code applicable to state contracts, including, but not limited to, advertising and competitive bidding requirements, are hereby suspended for directives 17, 20, and 24. Approval by the Department of Finance is required prior to the execution of any contract entered into pursuant to these directives.
This Executive Order is not intended to, and does not, create any rights or benefits, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity, against the State of California, its agencies, departments, entities, officers, employees, or any other person.
I FURTHER DIRECT that as soon as hereafter possible, this Order be filed in the Office of the Secretary of State and that widespread publicity and notice be given to this Order.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 151 day of April2015. ·
EDMUND G. BROWN JR. Governor of California
A TTEST :
ALEX PADILLA Secretary of State