SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2014
Almond Facts 31
The truth is that the Legislature did not
fully consider the extensive and serious
implications of the groundwater bills. State
legislators must take time to thoroughly
analyze groundwater issues in a widespread
public hearing process — similar to the
process undertaken during the development
of the water bond over the past year —
before moving forward with legislation
that makes the most signifcant changes to
groundwater management in our lifetime.
At the onset of this process, the
Administration promised us “a light touch.”
During the month of August, the scope
of the bills grew beyond original plans set
forth by the Administration. The “light
touch” now comprises three bills creating
an immense regulatory bureaucracy that
will cost the agricultural community
millions in fees.
Senior offcials within the Administration
did hear our concerns with the bills and
attempted to improve the language and
did so in many areas. They also gave us
notice when they requested additional
amendments of the legislation. However, the
improvements do not go far enough.
If the Legislature had a desire to embark
upon groundwater regulations and upend
over 100 years of water law, the least we
deserved is a transparent stakeholder process
and an objective drafting of the bills.
For further information regarding these bills
and other water related matters, please go to
www.agcouncil.org/water.
* Please note, this article was written while the
groundwater legislative package was pending on
Governor Brown’s desk. He has until September 30
to sign or veto the bills.