SACRAMENTO, October 9, 2023 – Yesterday, Governor Newsom signed into law, SB 659 (Ashby, D Sacramento), The California Water Supply Solutions Act of 2023. SB 659 is co-sponsored by the California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) and puts California on a path to develop additional groundwater recharge opportunities that increase the replenishment of the state’s groundwater basins.
“SB 659 represents the most significant effort since creation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act in 2014, in emphasizing the supply side of managing groundwater,” said Natalie Collins, CAWG President. “CAWG thanks Governor Newsom and Senator Angelique Ashby for their leadership in helping to secure California’s water future. We also thank SB 659’s co-sponsor, Regional Water Authority in Sacramento for partnering with CAWG on this important legislation.”
SB 659 gives the Newsom Administration, and future governors, the authority needed to implement long term strategies (regulations, funding, etc.) ensuring the impacts of climate change are a key component in securing a reliable source of WATER FOR ALL of California. This bill will lead toward a meaningful increase in the amount of groundwater recharged and help to take advantage of the state’s vast groundwater storage capacity.
This bill is especially important for winegrape growers who are contending with threats to their water rights, curtailments, heightened regulations for new and existing wells, fallowing, and various other water related challenges. Having a reliable supply of water in the future will be largely influenced by efforts under SB 659 to enhance groundwater recharge.
Due to the impact of climate change, it has become imperative that we capture stormwater and substantially accelerate our groundwater recharge efforts. That is why a meaningful coalition of 52 organizations representing the agricultural industry, builders, water agencies, local agencies, and environmental organizations are all in support of SB 659.
