Legislation

NorCal water board adopts first rules for pot growers

Drought Restrictions for California Pot Growers

Last week, the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board adopted the state’s first water quality order to help protect the environment from waste associated with the cultivation of cannabis. “The adoption of this order is intended to address the harmful impacts and threat of devastation that unregulated cannabis cultivation …

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California Senators introduce drought legislation in Senate

California Senators introduce drought legislation in Senate

Last week, Senator Dianne Feinstein introduced a bill – the California Emergency Drought Act – focused on relieving California of its severe drought. Under this bill, the state would see $1.3 billion over 10 years. The money would be allocated for storage, desalination and water recycling projects. “I’m hopeful the …

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Judge may rule in favor of Water Board over farmers

Judge may rule in favor of Water Board

With the California drought in full affect, the State Water Resources Control Board began issuing notices to farmers and water agencies demanding they meet Governor Jerry Brown’s mandatory water cutbacks. Some agencies and farmers are deemed senior water rights holders, meaning they usually are exempt from these types of cuts. …

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California Representatives vote no on drought legislation

California Water Legislation Coming Soon

Last week, the House of Representatives voted on H.R. 2898, the Western Water and American Food Security Act of 2015. The legislation was passed 245-176. Under the newly passed legislation, water policies will be modernized, meaning the federal regulators would be able to capture water during periods of greater precipitation. …

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Water wasters face local tax

Federal Funding for California Drought

The California Senate will see a new bill to address the drought in California. State Senator Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont), has introduced a bill that would allow local water agencies to create an excise tax on those who use excessive amounts of water. The bill, known as S.B. 780, would allow …

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States sue Obama administration over Clean Water Act

Clean Water Bill Gets Vote

Three states – Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi – are suing the Obama Administration to stop the implementation of one key part of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Water Act. These three states are challenging the EPA’s ability to regulate water pollution, which would expand the federal government’s scope of …

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