CA AB2246

Exempts the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California from surface mining permit requirements for emergency excavations or grading related to floods, disasters, or other emergencies.

Exempts surface mining operations conducted by the Metropolitan Water District on lands it owns, leases, or has easements on for repairing, maintaining, or replacing pipelines, infrastructure, and water transmission systems in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura counties.

Requires the Metropolitan Water District to adopt a reclamation plan after consultation with the Department of Conservation and reclaim affected lands according to state standards.

Requires the Metropolitan Water District to provide annual reports to the Department of Conservation and affected counties regarding these surface mining operations.

Declares that the Metropolitan Water District's exemption is necessary because its service area spans six counties serving approximately 19 million people and requires uniform oversight by the state rather than conflicting county-by-county implementation.