Dam safety: state supervision: exceptions.

Assembly Member Petrie-Norris proposes expanding dam safety regulation exemptions to include certain water storage facilities associated with compressed air energy storage systems in Kern County, while maintaining existing exemptions for qualifying wastewater treatment ponds.

The legislation establishes specific criteria for these new exemptions, requiring facilities to be located north of Dawn Road between State Route 14 and Sierra Highway. To qualify, facilities must maintain a maximum water pool height of 25 feet or less from the final engineered grade and a maximum storage capacity of 1,500 acre-feet or less. The facilities must be designed and constructed under registered civil engineer supervision and cannot cross stream channels or watercourses. The bill also requires approval from a lead agency under the Public Resources Code, including certification from state regulatory agencies.

The measure preserves current exemptions for wastewater treatment and storage ponds that meet established requirements, including adoption of a governing body resolution, maximum height of 15 feet, maximum storage capacity of 1,500 acre-feet, civil engineer supervision, and placement away from stream channels. The bill's findings note that a special statute is required due to the unique nature of the Kern County project, as general statutes cannot adequately address its specific circumstances under the California Constitution.