Groundwater: wells, exploratory holes, and other excavations.

(1) Existing law, the County Water District Law, provides for the formation and operation of county water districts, and specifies the powers and purposes of those districts. This bill would authorize the Alameda County Water District, within described areas of its jurisdiction, to establish a permit program, and to take related action, with regard to the construction, operation, decommissioning, abandonment, or destruction of wells, exploratory holes, or other excavations for the purpose of protecting groundwater. The district would be authorized to establish a procedure for the abatement as a public nuisance of any abandoned or unused well, exploratory hole, or other excavation that creates or threatens to create a water contamination hazard. The bill would declare that any costs incurred by the district to abate the public nuisance are a lien and would require the district to record with the county any notice of a lien that is prepared by the district. Any person who applies for a land development permit or approval, within the areas described by the bill, would be required to obtain specified documentation from the district with regard to the property proposed to be developed. By imposing requirements on the district in connection with the regulation of wells, exploratory holes, and other excavations, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would state the findings and declarations of the Legislature concerning the need for special legislation. (2) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.