On March 13, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) announced expedited approval for the installation of storage tanks by landowners who currently divert water from coastal rivers in CDFW regions 1 & 3. Humboldt County and most of the Eel River watershed are in region 1.
According to their press release, which you can read here, the “CDFW has essentially ‘pre-approved’ the installation of storage tanks that meet the general criteria. The State Water Board has agreed to incorporate these criteria as conditions of approval, and to expedite the issuance of the registrations”.
To register your small domestic use (SDU) through the expedited Emergency Tank Storage Registration program, visit the State Water Board website and download the Registration for Small Domestic Use Appropriation form (or download it here). Click here for additional information.