Gov. Gavin Newsom recently signed two pieces of legislation that will help city governments better prepare for storms and hopefully prevent flooding by cutting bureaucratic red tape.
The bills were both authored by Assembly Member David Alvarez (D-Chula Vista) in response to heavy storms and flooding that hit San Diego in January.
AB 2501 will allow the State Water Resources Control Board and Regional Water Quality Control Boards to accept funds from state and local agencies in order to speed up permitting for storm infrastructure projects.
AB 3227 will streamline the routine maintenance of stormwater channels and facilities, putting a stop to delays often caused by CEQA.
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria says both bills would have helped the city avoid some of the damage caused by last winter’s storms.
“It’s too little too late, but thank goodness something is being done so that generations to come have a little bit more of a chance to have a clean neighborhood,” he told Fox 5 San Diego.