SB 1306 Summary

• Establishes a new framework for local groundwater stewardship areas (LGSAs) outside of active management areas to address groundwater conditions like declining water levels, overpumping, or water supply concerns through voluntary local management plans.

• Creates a $50 million annual fund from lottery revenues (deposited into the Department of Water Resources Local Groundwater Stewardship Fund) to support LGSA implementation and voluntary land and water conservation programs.

• Allows county boards of supervisors or the director of water resources to designate LGSAs and establishes local groundwater stewardship area councils with representatives from counties, cities, water users, agriculture, mining, industry, and Indian tribes to develop management goals and actions.

• Authorizes local groundwater stewardship area councils to petition the director for implementation of management tools including water measuring device requirements, reporting requirements, subsequent irrigation non-expansion areas, well location rules, and voluntary conservation programs.

• Requires municipalities and counties to consider local groundwater stewardship area management goals in their general and comprehensive plans and allows for additional subdivision regulations based on LGSA designations.