Lake and streambed alteration agreements: exemptions: culverts and bridges.

Assembly Member Gallagher's proposal to streamline infrastructure repairs in Sutter County would create a temporary exemption from California's lake and streambed alteration requirements for certain bridge and culvert projects. The exemption would apply to repairs or reconstruction of bridges up to 30 feet long and culverts up to 70 feet long that were damaged by natural disasters since 2022, excluding one specific project already permitted under existing regulations.

While exempt from standard permitting processes, projects must still incorporate environmental protections. The bill requires entities to conduct biological surveys to identify present species, consult with the Department of Fish and Wildlife on protection measures, and implement the department's recommended safeguards. Projects also require written notification to the department within 14 days of work beginning.

The Legislature's findings cite Sutter County's unique circumstances, particularly the critical role of rural bridges and culverts in evacuation routes, as justification for this county-specific approach. The exemption would expire on January 1, 2027, at which point standard permitting requirements would resume. This temporary modification maintains core environmental protections while allowing expedited infrastructure repairs in areas the bill identifies as vital to public safety.