The current drought in California has prompted a streamlined approval process for installation of storage tanks by landowners in several regions of the state, including Del Norte, Humboldt, Lassen, Mendocino, Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou, Tehama and Trinity counties. According to a press release from the Calif. Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, "...CDFW has essentially 'pre-approved' the installation of storage tanks that meet the general criteria. The State Water Board has agreed to incorporate these criteria as conditions of approval, and to expedite the issuance of the registrations."
The press release applauded local conservation efforts saying, "Today’s action was the direct result of suggestions made by local communities and fish conservation organizations such as Trout Unlimited, Mattole River Sanctuary Forest and the Salmonid Restoration Federation."
This streamlined approval process is limited to parties that are diverting and storing water to be used only for domestic purposes and fire protection. Further requirements include: tank design (must be rigid type, as opposed to collapsible type); storage tank(s) capacity must be at least that which would constitute a 60-day supply; and agreement by the applicant to use the stored water as a substitute for withdrawing additional water during the summer when flows are lowest. Click here to view the complete press release.
The State Water Resources Control Board has set up a website explaining the new Small Domestic Registration Process-click here connect to that site.
Click here to download the Dept. of Calif. Fish and Wildlife conditions that apply to registrations that meet the criteria for Emergency Tank Storage Registrations.
Click here to download the State Water Board form for Registering Small Domestic Use Tank Storage.
On March 14, 2014, KMUD News Director, Terri Klemetson, interviewed Dana Stolzman, Executive Director of the Salmonid Restoration Federation for more information about this new change in water storage requirements. The audio from this interview can be heard using the player below.
Use the player below to hear Jane Arnold from the Dept. of Fish & wildlife as she clarifies some of the new tank storage policy changes. Ms. Arnold was a guest on the Thurs. March 18, edition of the KMUD Environment Show hosted by Scott Greacen, Executive Director of Friends of the Eel River.
{mp3} news/JaneArnold-EnvShow {/mp3}