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Glendale commission seeks more information on groundwater recharge bill after concerns from commissioners
Summary
Commissioners discussed AB 2026 (groundwater recharge/CEQA exemptions) and agreed to agendize a more detailed briefing with Glendale Water & Power, planning staff and subject experts before taking a position.
GLENDALE — The Glendale Sustainability Commission on May 7 discussed AB 2026, a bill proposing changes to groundwater‑recharge rules including five CEQA exemptions for certain recharge activities and additional tribal consultation requirements, and decided to seek more information before recommending a position.
Cara Ross and staff summarized the bill's intent: to ease rules for capturing and recharging stormwater to bolster groundwater supplies. Ross said the bill "codifies five different exemptions from CEQA based on existing practice for specific types of diversions to surface water for groundwater recharge that do not involve construction." She also warned the commission that the bill had notable support from water agencies and significant opposition from environmental groups.
Commissioners raised specific concerns, including potential impacts on species and sensitive habitats, the risk of unintended flooding if engineered channels were altered, and whether local agencies would retain sufficient oversight. One commissioner asked whether the bill would allow agencies to choose the higher hazard designation for whole parcels when a parcel straddles zones; staff said local fire officials would have more opportunity to provide parcel‑level input under AB 2517 but that groundwater recharge questions required separate technical analysis.
Staff said AB 2026 was scheduled for an Appropriations Committee hearing and, if deemed to have more than $100,000 in state fiscal impact, could be placed on the suspense calendar before floor consideration. The commission directed staff to agendize a future briefing on groundwater recharge and invited Glendale Water & Power, planning staff and outside subject‑matter experts to present technical and regulatory analysis, including potential environmental impacts and permitting considerations.
No formal recommendation on AB 2026 was made at the May 7 meeting; commissioners said more study was warranted before taking a position.
