Under existing law, the United States Bureau of Reclamation operates the federal Central Valley Project and the Department of Water Resources operates the State Water Resources Development System, known as the State Water Project, to supply water to persons and entities in the state. Existing law provides for the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of water development facilities by the state, including the State Water Project. Under existing law, State Water Project facilities include, among others, the facilities that are specified or authorized by the Legislature as part of the state Central Valley Project.
This bill would prohibit the department from constructing water facilities as part of a specified water conveyance system unless specifically authorized by the Legislature.