Assembly committee advances SB 72 to set statewide water-supply targets and update California Water Plan

Senator Caballero presented SB 72 to the Assembly committee, saying the bill would modernize the California Water Plan to reflect the state’s changing climate and establish long-term water-supply targets to help ensure “a drought-proof future.”

The bill would set an interim statewide target of 9,000,000 acre-feet of additional water by 2040 and direct the Department of Water Resources to develop any further long-term targets. “Meaningful revisions to the water plan have not been made for 20 years,” Senator Caballero said, arguing that extreme weather patterns have “profoundly impacted water supply in the state for virtually all beneficial uses.”

Nut graf: Proponents said SB 72 creates planning requirements and a statewide target intended to coordinate investment in projects such as desalination, recycling, groundwater recharge and storage. Opponents warned the target could spur overbuilding and strain in-stream flows; testimony…