Assemblymember Arambula Co-leads Outcomes Review of Groundwater Recharge Efforts Based on His Legislation That is Now Law, AB 658

• Felicia Matlosz
• 559-304-9286

SACRAMENTO - Assemblymember Dr. Joaquin Arambula (D-Fresno) and Assemblymember Diane Papan, (D-San Mateo) on Tuesday led a review of groundwater recharge efforts in California. The hearing is part of Speaker Robert Rivas' first-of-its-kind Outcomes Review project launched this year to assess and improve laws aimed at delivering results.

The Tuesday oversight hearing was entitled "Streamlining Groundwater Recharge to Strengthen Water Supply," as part of the Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee chaired by Assemblymember Papan. The purpose was to review Assembly Bill 658, authored by Assemblymember Arambula in 2019. The bill created a temporary five-year permit to divert water for groundwater storage during periods of high precipitation.

Assemblymember Arambula is one of 14 Assemblymembers chosen to participate in Speaker Rivas' Outcomes Review. He said he was grateful for the Speaker's leadership on this matter as well as Chair Papan's involvement and interest in analyzing how AB 658 has proceeded.

He said he authored AB 658 because, at the time, California was enduring one of the worst droughts in its history. He wanted to establish a process to capture water during high-rain periods to "do our best to create sustainability in the long run."

The discussion Tuesday included perspectives on different water diversion programs, their effectiveness, costs involved, and the time length of applications.

Assemblymember Arambula said after the hearing: "I appreciated the healthy discussion. We've seen some progress, but more work needs to be done. We know California has experienced severe droughts, and that we must increase efforts to prepare for them and bolster our groundwater storage. I look forward to further discussions to maximize water flow to aquifers so that we can reach sustainability and ensure ample water resources for communities, agriculture, and businesses."

Speaker Rivas said of the Tuesday review: "This hearing is accountability in action - and I'm grateful for Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula's steadfast leadership on oversight and transparency."

The hearing included testimony from E. Joaquin Esquivel, chair of the State Water Resources Control Board and representatives for the Stockton East Water District and the Omochumne-Hartnell Water District. Chair Papan said at the hearing that she wanted to find out if any flexibility had been built into the process. "The snowpack does not yield what it is used to yield," she said. "It's only at 66 percent right now so that means it becomes even more important that we capture those deluges of water when they come in the atmospheric rivers."

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