This section establishes the name of a specific part of the law: "The Stormwater Resource Planning Act."

This law highlights the importance of treating stormwater and dry weather runoff as valuable resources rather than problems. It stresses the need for better management through capture, treatment, and reuse, which can improve water quality, lessen local flooding, and boost water supplies. Current systems mainly move water away quickly, missing opportunities to capture it for beneficial uses. With changes in precipitation patterns, more rain is expected instead of snow, affecting how water is collected and stored. Proper design and management of these water sources can enhance local water supplies, support environmental goals, and offer social benefits such as more green spaces. However, careful planning is necessary to ensure water quality is not harmed. Utilizing stormwater is also cost-effective and energy-efficient.

This section of the law defines two key terms for understanding water-related regulations. 'Dry weather runoff' refers to water flow in areas like storm drains that comes from activities like irrigation or industrial use, rather than rain. 'Stormwater' is water runoff caused directly by storms, aligning with a federal definition.

This law states that a public entity, like a city government, can use captured stormwater from urban areas, if it's collected before it flows into natural channels, to enhance existing water supplies. This must be done following a stormwater resource plan. However, this law doesn't change any existing water rights or established water management plans. It also doesn't create any new groundwater pumping rights if they weren't already in place.

This California law section outlines the guidelines for public agencies to develop a stormwater resource plan. A plan must be formulated on a watershed level and prioritize projects that capture and reuse stormwater and runoff to improve water supply, quality, and provide ecological and community benefits.

It must engage community participation and align with pollution and discharge permits. Public lands are prioritized for use in these projects. The plan should aim to enhance local water resources through techniques like groundwater recharge and promote the use of natural and open spaces for better water management.

Existing plans can be adapted to meet these criteria if they collectively satisfy the stated requirements. The plan must identify factors like pollution sources and opportunities for storage, requiring the creation of ordinances for effective implementation.

This law section makes it clear that it doesn't interfere with public agencies doing their jobs or affect any existing legal requirements. If you want grants for projects that capture stormwater or runoff, you'll need to develop a stormwater resource plan under a requirement from bond acts approved post-January 1, 2014. However, this doesn't apply to funds meant for creating these plans or grants given to small disadvantaged communities with certain conditions.

This law defines 'low-impact development' as projects that use natural or built features to manage stormwater. These projects aim to slow down stormwater runoff, remove pollutants, store stormwater on-site, let it soak into the ground to replenish groundwater, and enhance the quality of the water that flows into nearby groundwater and surface water sources.

This law requires that by July 1, 2016, a board must provide guidance for developing plans related to managing stormwater. This includes consulting with local agencies and organizations, identifying methods for prioritizing stormwater projects, and determining the right size for watershed planning. The board can also include any other guidance it finds necessary to meet the goals of managing stormwater resources effectively.