As California prepares for a fifth year of drought, late last week Governor Brown issued an Executive Order that calls for additional actions to build on the state’s ongoing response to record dry conditions. The Executive Order suspends the California Environmental Quality Act for actions taken by state and local agencies where the state agency with primary responsibility for implementing the directive concurs that local action is required, as well as for any necessary permits or approvals required to complete these actions.
The Executive Order contains directives relating to groundwater recharge, urban potable water usage, safe and reliable drinking water, and power plant operation. The full text of the executive order can be accessed here.