Darian
04-10-2008, 03:20 PM
In doing research on another piece of legislation, I discovered another bill that doesn't address everything but is a very important beginning to solving water usage problems and undisciplined development in California. AB 2153 is a bill submitted by a couple of SoCal legislators. The preamble to the bill is self explanatory:
"AB 2153, as amended, Krekorian. Building standards: water
Water conservation.
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires a city or
county, if it determines that a project is subject to CEQA, to
identify any public water system that may supply water for the
project and to request those public water systems to prepare a
specific water supply assessment, except as otherwise specified. If
the city or county is unable to identify the water supply system, the
city or county is required to prepare the water supply assessment
after a prescribed consultation.
This bill would require a residential or commercial construction
project that is subject to CEQA and required by a lead agency to
prepare a mitigated negative declaration or an environmental impact
report to implement all feasible and cost-effective water efficiency
measures. The project would be required to mitigate its projected
annual water consumption, as specified. Affordable housing projects
would be exempted from this mitigation requirement. The mitigation
measures taken would be subject to review and approval by the lead
agency.
Because a lead agency, which includes a local agency, would be
required to review and approve those direct investments, this bill
would increase the level of services provided by a local agency,
thereby imposing a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local
agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the
state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that
reimbursement."
It'll be interesting to see if the developers let this one pass. :roll: :roll: :wink:
"AB 2153, as amended, Krekorian. Building standards: water
Water conservation.
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires a city or
county, if it determines that a project is subject to CEQA, to
identify any public water system that may supply water for the
project and to request those public water systems to prepare a
specific water supply assessment, except as otherwise specified. If
the city or county is unable to identify the water supply system, the
city or county is required to prepare the water supply assessment
after a prescribed consultation.
This bill would require a residential or commercial construction
project that is subject to CEQA and required by a lead agency to
prepare a mitigated negative declaration or an environmental impact
report to implement all feasible and cost-effective water efficiency
measures. The project would be required to mitigate its projected
annual water consumption, as specified. Affordable housing projects
would be exempted from this mitigation requirement. The mitigation
measures taken would be subject to review and approval by the lead
agency.
Because a lead agency, which includes a local agency, would be
required to review and approve those direct investments, this bill
would increase the level of services provided by a local agency,
thereby imposing a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local
agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the
state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that
reimbursement."
It'll be interesting to see if the developers let this one pass. :roll: :roll: :wink: