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Southern California Water Coalition Advocates for Streamlined Permitting to Secure California’s Water Future

October 10, 2024

The Southern California Water Coalition recently joined several other key stakeholders in submitting a coalition letter to the Assembly Select Committee on Permitting Reform. The letter highlights the critical importance of including water supply development, treatment, and distribution in discussions surrounding permitting reform. This inclusion is essential for advancing California’s resilience against climate change and maintaining the state’s water supply infrastructure.

The letter emphasizes that water is an inextricable part of California’s future. With the challenges posed by population growth and the increasing impacts of climate change, water and wastewater providers have spent decades planning and implementing solutions to secure water supplies and manage flood risks. These efforts include improving storage, conveyance, and alternative water supplies like desalination and recycled water. However, the current permitting process often creates delays that prevent the timely implementation of these vital projects.

The coalition calls for streamlined permitting processes to ensure that critical water infrastructure projects move forward without unnecessary delays, which can ultimately lead to higher costs and negative environmental impacts. By advocating for watershed-scale management in permitting decisions, SCWC and its partners propose a more comprehensive approach to balancing infrastructure needs and environmental conservation.

SCWC’s participation in this effort underscores its commitment to ensuring California’s water future remains secure, particularly in light of climate adaptation and growing water demand. As Executive Director Charles Wilson highlights, these reforms are essential for overcoming regulatory gridlock and maintaining the state’s way of life. SCWC is proud to be part of this collaborative effort to advocate for a more efficient and effective permitting process.

Read the letter: https://socalwater.org/wp-content/uploads/Coalition-Letter-to-Select-Committee-on-Permitting-Reform-Final.pdf

List of partners: Association of California Water Agencies, Agricultural Council of California, California Special Districts Association, California Farm Bureau, State Water Contractors, Water Blueprint for the San Joaquin Valley, CalDesal, California Water Association, California Chamber, BizFed, New California Coalition, and WateReuse California.

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