The California Water Commission (Commission) has released proposed regulations relating to the Water Storage Investment Program, and has noticed a March 16, 2016 hearing at which it will consider adoption of the regulations. The public comment period began on January 29, 2016.
Proposition 1, approved by the voters in November 2014, included $2.7 billion in funding for the public benefits of water storage projects, and directed the Commission to develop and adopt regulations specifying the methods for the quantification and management of public benefits. The proposed regulations provide the application process and requirements applicants must follow to quantify the public benefits of their proposed water storage projects.
To be considered by the Commission, written comments not physically submitted at the March 16, 2016 hearing must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m. on March 14, 2016. The proposed regulations and all related documents can be accessed here.
The Commission is calling upon potential project proponents to submit Concept Papers by 5:00 p.m. on March 31, 2016 that summarize potential water storage projects and their benefits. The Concept Papers are not mandatory to be eligible for WSIP funding, but the information collected will assist the Commission as it seeks to maximize the potential public benefits of water storage projects funding by the WSIP.
The Concept Papers submitted will be made available on the Commission’s website, so project proponents will be able to identify potential regional partners or potential conflicts with other projects. Additional information can be accessed here.