Sustainable groundwater management: managed wetlands.
- Protects disadvantaged communities and managed wetlands from groundwater extraction fees and restrictions.
- Requires groundwater plans to assess impacts on small water systems and wetland habitats.
- Prohibits fees on small community water systems serving disadvantaged communities.
- Mandates special consideration for wetlands that provide wildlife habitat and environmental benefits.
Assembly Member Connolly's groundwater management legislation establishes new protections for disadvantaged communities and managed wetlands under California's Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. The bill prohibits groundwater sustainability agencies from imposing extraction allocations or fees on small community water systems serving disadvantaged communities and managed wetland operators, provided their water usage remains within historical levels.
The legislation introduces formal definitions for managed wetlands and small community water systems while requiring groundwater sustainability plans to assess impacts on these entities. Managed wetlands must meet specific criteria, including seasonal flooding for habitat purposes and designation under various conservation programs. Small community water systems are defined as those serving up to 3,300 connections or 10,000 residents.
Under the new provisions, groundwater sustainability agencies must document the water supply and economic effects of their plans on both protected categories. Agencies retain authority to regulate increased usage above historical levels and can mandate corrective actions if managed wetland extraction directly causes undesirable outcomes like land subsidence or water quality degradation. The bill requires sustainability plans to maintain detailed records of affected small water systems and managed wetlands, including population served and water consumption data.
These amendments reflect legislative findings about ongoing challenges in accessing safe drinking water, particularly in disadvantaged communities reliant on groundwater, and the ecological importance of California's remaining wetlands. The bill aims to preserve these water uses while allowing agencies to focus sustainability measures on other extractors.
This bill was recently introduced. Email the authors to let them know what you think about it.
Introduced By
 Damon ConnollyD Assembly Member | Bill Author |  Not Contacted | |
 Diane PapanD Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
 Jeff GonzalezR Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted |
- Protects disadvantaged communities and managed wetlands from groundwater extraction fees and restrictions.
- Requires groundwater plans to assess impacts on small water systems and wetland habitats.
- Prohibits fees on small community water systems serving disadvantaged communities.
- Mandates special consideration for wetlands that provide wildlife habitat and environmental benefits.
This bill was recently introduced. Email the authors to let them know what you think about it.
Introduced By
Assembly Member Connolly's groundwater management legislation establishes new protections for disadvantaged communities and managed wetlands under California's Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. The bill prohibits groundwater sustainability agencies from imposing extraction allocations or fees on small community water systems serving disadvantaged communities and managed wetland operators, provided their water usage remains within historical levels.
The legislation introduces formal definitions for managed wetlands and small community water systems while requiring groundwater sustainability plans to assess impacts on these entities. Managed wetlands must meet specific criteria, including seasonal flooding for habitat purposes and designation under various conservation programs. Small community water systems are defined as those serving up to 3,300 connections or 10,000 residents.
Under the new provisions, groundwater sustainability agencies must document the water supply and economic effects of their plans on both protected categories. Agencies retain authority to regulate increased usage above historical levels and can mandate corrective actions if managed wetland extraction directly causes undesirable outcomes like land subsidence or water quality degradation. The bill requires sustainability plans to maintain detailed records of affected small water systems and managed wetlands, including population served and water consumption data.
These amendments reflect legislative findings about ongoing challenges in accessing safe drinking water, particularly in disadvantaged communities reliant on groundwater, and the ecological importance of California's remaining wetlands. The bill aims to preserve these water uses while allowing agencies to focus sustainability measures on other extractors.
Damon ConnollyD Assembly Member | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
Diane PapanD Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Jeff GonzalezR Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted |