On 3/29 Governor Newsom signed and issued Executive Order N-7-22 as a response to the ongoing drought. Executive Order N-7-22 in part orders the following:
- Asks for voluntary conservation efforts to be established at the local level.
- Increase enforcement efforts on illegal water diversions.
- Directs the State Water Board and Regional Water Quality Control Boards to accelerate approvals of groundwater recharge projects by suspending certain state requirements to the extent necessary to address the impacts of drought.
- Adds requirements to groundwater sustainability agencies to be involved in the permitting process of any new groundwater well or an alteration of an existing well in a basin subject to SGMA and classified as a medium-or high-priority groundwater basin.
- That the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) to evaluate the adoption of regulations banning irrigation of “non-functional” turf (or grass), such as decorative grass adjacent to large industrial and commercial buildings.
CCM advises members to contact their local GSA’s and county to understand how they will respond to the Governor’s Executive Order, especially if you expect to modify or drill a new agricultural well.
