An act to amend Section 13001 of the Water Code, relating to water quality. An act to add Section 21080.65 to the Public Resources Code, relating to environmental quality.
Summary
AB 1000 would create a narrow CEQA exemption for a sediment removal project in the Five-Mile Basin in the City of Chico. The bill adds Section 21080.65 to the Public Resources Code to state that CEQA does not apply to that specific project, and it includes legislative findings that a special statute is needed because of the unique flooding risk in the area until sediment removal is completed.
The bill also makes a nonsubstantive change to Section 13001 of the Water Code, reaffirming the Legislature’s intent that the State Water Resources Control Board and the regional water quality control boards coordinate their activities to maintain a unified and effective statewide water quality control program. The Water Code amendment does not appear to change policy or regulatory authority in a substantive way.
Impact
The bill would affect state environmental review law by exempting one identified project—the removal of sediment from the Five-Mile Basin in Chico—from CEQA’s requirements, including environmental impact report and related review procedures. It would also create a special statute applicable only to that local project, which could speed project delivery by reducing permitting and litigation risk tied to CEQA. Separately, the Water Code amendment is technical and does not materially alter the duties of the State Water Resources Control Board or regional boards.
Sentiment
The available context suggests the bill was treated as a targeted local infrastructure and flood-mitigation measure rather than a broad policy change. There were no recorded committee transcripts or votes in the provided materials, and the bill was last noted as filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56. Based on the text, the bill’s framing emphasizes urgency and public safety in Chico, which likely supports a favorable view among proponents of the sediment removal project.
Contention
The main point of contention is the CEQA exemption itself, since it removes the normal environmental review process for a specific project. Supporters would likely argue that the exemption is justified by the significant flooding risk and the need to complete sediment removal quickly in the Five-Mile Basin. Opponents, if any, would likely focus on the precedent of carving out project-specific CEQA exemptions and the loss of environmental review and public process, even for a locally limited project.
California Environmental Quality Act: environmental leadership development projects: water storage, water conveyance, and groundwater recharge projects: streamlined review.