State staff, CDFW and local groups outline next steps for permanent Scott and Shasta flow protections after AB 2 63

State Water Board staff on Nov. 4 laid out a multi‑year program of scientific and economic work intended to underpin permanent in‑stream flow protections for the Scott and Shasta River watersheds, while California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and local stakeholders described monitoring results, local studies and implementation lessons.

The board’s staff said it will draft scientific basis reports that analyze fish life‑stage responses to a range of flows, initiate an economic analysis using an agricultural production model, and finalize surface‑ and groundwater models, a water allocation (WEEP) tool and, for the Shasta watershed, a temperature model. The work is intended to inform possible future regulatory tools: permanent flow rules, water‑quality control plans, or other local actions. Staff noted AB 2 63 (effective Jan. 1) extends the emergency regulation until Jan. 1, 2031, or until long‑term rules are adopted, and requires annual public updates.

“Baseline minimum flows are the amount of water that is reasonably required for fish even in the driest years,” staff said, and they framed the reports to evaluate a range of lower‑end…