Section 1259.6 - Regulations to govern consideration of climate change effects in water availability analyses(a)(1)The board shall develop and adopt regulations to govern consideration of climate change effects in water availability analyses used in the board's review of applications for water rights permits. The board, in developing and adopting the regulations, shall consider the effects of climate change upon watershed hydrology. The effects considered shall include, but are not limited to, drought extremes, floods, and groundwater-surface water interactions.(2)This section does not limit any authority held by the board under this code or any other law, including, but not limited to, the authority of the board to require applicants for water right permits to submit information pursuant to Section 1260 or 1275.(3)In developing the regulations, the board shall consider the feasibility of accurately assessing the effects of climate change on watershed hydrology.(b)In preparing the regulations pursuant to subdivision (a), the board shall consult with the Department of Water Resources, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, qualified hydrologists and climate change scientists, potential applicants, and other interested parties.(c)This section does not limit the board's authority to accept or process applications before the regulations required under this section are adopted. The board shall not refuse to accept or delay processing or approval of an application on the grounds that the regulations have not yet been adopted.
Added by Stats 2022 ch 369 (SB 1205),s 1, eff. 1/1/2023.