Water Resources.

WATER RESOURCES. INITIATIVE STATUTE. Adds numerous sections to Water Code. Principal provisions: (1) Interbasin water transfers-requires development and implementation of specified water conservation programs for annual appropriations of more than 20,000 acre-feet. (2) Instream appropriations-allows for fishery, wildlife, recreational, aesthetic, scientific, scenic, water quality, and other uses. (3) Stanislaus River and New Melones Dam--specifies conditions concerning water storage and uses. (4) Groundwater--declares 11 named basins critical overdraft areas and establishes management authorities in these with specified duties and powers, including authority to limit, control, or prohibit groundwater extractions. Also contains policy statements, enforcement, and other provisions. Summary of Legislative Analyst\u27s estimate of net state and local government fiscal impact: Overall fiscal effect on state and local governments cannot be determined. Could result in $1.48 million annually (1982 prices) in increased costs for 6 years to State Water Resources Control Board to perform new responsibilities; unknown planning, administrative and implementation costs particularly in targeted areas; unknown litigation costs; unknown loss of power revenues; and unknown long-term savings in reduced costs to add new water supplies and pumping. Analyst\u27s estimate discusses various factors involved