long-term storage accounts; credits; percentage

SB 1251 establishes a system for crediting water stored in long-term storage accounts, primarily affecting water users who store water in designated facilities. It requires the director to credit 95% of qualifying stored water to a storer’s account (with exceptions: 50% for some effluent storage, 100% for water stored near parks or for drought plans), while setting a 15,000 acre-feet annual cap for certain Colorado River drought storage. To qualify, stored water must meet specific criteria, such as not being directly usable or supporting drought contingency plans. This policy directly changes how water credits are calculated and allocated for groundwater management, conservation, and drought response.