California Code of Regulations
Title 23 - Waters
Division 2 - Department of Water Resources
Chapter 6 - Encroachments
Article 6 - Requirements for Specific Types of Encroachments
Section 612.2 - Landscaping Encroachments

Universal Citation: 23 CA Code of Regs 612.2

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024

The following general standards are the minimum requirements for 'Landscaping Encroachments'. These standards shall be met in addition to any requirements for an encroachment permit as set forth in these regulations. Each application shall be evaluated on an individual basis to ensure the safety and integrity of the State Water Project facilities and right-of-way, and the safety of the public.

(a) Landscaping encroachments shall not be permitted within the Department's right-of-way where open aqueduct exists.

(b) Landscaping encroachments within the Department's right-of-way, where the State Water Project underground pipeline exists, shall be subject to the following requirements:

(1) The full width of the right-of-way may be used as green belt upon the Department's review and approval.

(2) Ground cover and shrubs are permitted only with the Department's review and approval.

(3) Trees and vines may be permitted if they are at least twenty-five (25) feet from the edge of buried pipeline, measured from the tree dripline at maturity. Exceptions will only be considered by the Department if the planting of trees within this 25-foot limit will not adversely affect the integrity of the State Water Project buried pipeline or facilities.

(4) A plant legend showing common plant names shall be included on the submitted landscape plans.

(5) Only plants conforming to the standards set forth in this regulation and that are shown on the reviewed and approved landscape plans shall be allowed. Substitutions or additions of plants not shown on the approved landscape plans shall not be permitted and shall be removed at the permittee's cost and expense.

(c) Landscape and irrigation plans shall show an easily recognizable boundary and designation of the Department's right-of-way. All State Water Project facilities shall be shown and labeled.

(d) Pressurized irrigation lines less than or equal to one (1) inch in diameter which run parallel to a State Water Project pipeline shall be installed at least fifteen (15) feet from the closest edge of the State Water Project pipeline. Irrigation lines greater than one (1) inch in diameter shall run perpendicular to the SWP pipeline.

(e) Major valves greater than one (1) inch in diameter shall be installed outside the Department's right-of-way or within ten (10) feet from the closest edge of the State Water Project right-of-way.

(f) Detectable warning tape shall be over all buried pressurized irrigation line(s) and shall be a minimum of eighteen (18) inches above the waterlines the entire distance within the Department's right-of-way. Subsequent repair or maintenance of the irrigation lines shall require replacement of the warning tape.

Warning tapes shall conform to the following:

(1) For potable waterlines, the warning tape shall be a 3-inch-wide blue detectable tape imprinted with "CAUTION BURIED POTABLE WATERLINE."

(2) For non-potable waterlines, the warning tape shall be a 3-inch-wide purple detectable tape imprinted with "CAUTION BURIED NON-POTABLE WATERLINE."

(g) Proposed modifications to the existing cover over a State Water Project pipeline shall be subject to review and approval by the Department.

(h) Temporary or permanent placement of excavated materials within the Department's right-of-way shall be subject to review and approval by the Department.

(i) A grading plan showing the top of the Department's pipeline elevation shall be submitted for the Department's review and approval.

(j) Open space with natural hiking trails and walkways will be considered if the Department's access to the State Water Project pipeline and appurtenant facilities for inspection and maintenance is ensured.

1. New section filed 4-22-2015; operative 7-1-2015 (Register 2015, No. 17).

Note: Authority cited: Section 12899.9, Water Code. Reference: Sections 12899.1(c), 12899.2(b) and 12899.2(c), Water Code.

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