The water code needs to be enforced, not changed. Only immediate compliance needs to be addressed now. Exempt wells do not affect enough water to affect immediate compliance. Existing cooperative planning processes should be funded and used for setting stream flows, rather than authorizing conditioning of water rights. Changes and transfers should be expedited through conservancy boards, not new requirements.
Full mitigation is too strict.
Integrated water supply management needs to be added. Ability to move water between ground and surface, as well as to move surface water, is needed. Incremental certification of municipal water systems jeopardizes financing. Conservation rates are incompatible with rate base requirements. Flexibility and innovative approaches should be promoted, including satellite management and transfer of inchoate water.