CA AB2079

Requires local enforcement agencies to conduct specified activities at least 30 days before approving permits for new large-diameter, high-capacity wells (defined as 8 inches or greater in diameter), including public notice on websites, electronic notice to groundwater sustainability agencies, mailed notice to nearby property owners within one-mile radius, and electronic notice to the state board for probationary basins.

Mandates groundwater sustainability agencies provide local enforcement agencies with information upon adoption or amendment of groundwater sustainability plans, including the plan name, agency contact information, sustainable management criteria, groundwater level monitoring data sources, and notice of fees or metering regulations.

Prohibits approval of large-diameter, high-capacity wells located within one-quarter mile of domestic or community water wells, or within one-quarter mile of areas that have subsided more than 0.5 feet since January 1, 2015, with limited exceptions if subsidence has not exceeded 0.1 feet over the preceding four years.

Exempts from these requirements wells drawing less than two acre-feet annually, wells on parcels of 5 acres or fewer zoned for rural residential use, public water system drinking water wells, replacement wells meeting specified conditions, conjunctive use programs, groundwater remediation projects, and injection wells.

Applies only to applications for permits in basins identified in the Department of Water Resources Bulletin 118 and provides that no state reimbursement is required because local agencies have authority to levy sufficient fees or assessments.