SACRAMENTO, CA — On October 15th Assemblymembers Diane Papan (D-San Mateo) and Rhodesia Ransom, Chairs of the Assembly Committees on Water, Parks, and Wildlife and Emergency Management, called on Governor Newsom to take additional executive action to prepare California communities for the potentially severe impacts of a forecasted Super El Niño.
In a joint letter to the Governor, the Assemblymember Papan and Assemblymember Ransom emphasized the importance of acting before severe weather arrives.
The letter outlined three key priorities:
- Expediting Flood Protection and Debris Removal: Streamlining regulatory requirements to allow local agencies to clear debris and sediment, manage vegetation, and repair flood control infrastructure before major storms.
- Strengthening Coastal Preparedness: Clarifying emergency permitting authority to help coastal communities implement protective measures, including beach berms, sediment management, and repairs to flood protection facilities.
- Maximizing Groundwater Recharge Opportunities: Providing greater flexibility for local agencies to capture excess stormwater, replenish groundwater basins, and strengthen California's long-term water supply resilience.
The joint letter urged the administration to implement these measures ahead of the winter storm season to safeguard public safety, protect critical infrastructure, and improve the state's resilience to extreme weather.
