Despite efforts from many county representatives, Executive Order
(EO) N-10-23 is confirmed to expire on November 1, 2023 without
an extension.
The Governor’s EO, issued August 4, 2023, suspended activities to
reduce ongoing and emergency flood risk due to damage from the
2022-23 winter storms on the San Joaquin River, Tulare Lake
Basin, Salinas and Pajaro Rivers, and other coastal streams south
of the Ventura River. Suspensions additionally included certain
lake and streambed alteration projects, water quality permitting,
CEQA and waste discharge permits. CSAC, along with many other
county and local agency representatives, sought an extension of
this EO through at least December 1, 2023 to allow current
projects to finalize.
This year’s floods brought unprecedented damage throughout
California’s counties. Many disadvantaged communities were
impacted by flooding and overflows. The Governor’s Executive
Order was crucial to address the urgency of damage to levees and
flood infrastructure. Counties continue to need expedited repairs
to protect communities and assess impacts.
Counties are working diligently to fix levee breaches and clear
sediment and are working to increase speed and efficiency for the
completion of their projects. An extension of the Executive Order
would have provided local governments with additional time to
assess the overall impacts to their communities and provide
relief to their public agencies.
As of November 1, 2023, counties in mid-project will need to
apply to the Department of Fish and Wildlife for an emergency
exemption under
Fish and Game Code Section 1610 (a)(i), and with the local
water quality control board for general permitting, along with
any other emergency permits. The State Water Quality Control
Board, Department of Fish and Wildlife and California Office of
Emergency Service plan to create websites to help guide local
governments as they seek new permits to finalize their important
public safety work. CSAC will forward these websites when they
are launched. For more information, please contact Catherine
Freeman, Senior Legislative Advocate, at cfreeman@counties.org.
