(a) If the board determines, by resolution, that there is a problem of groundwater contamination that a proposed program will remedy or ameliorate, an operator may make extractions of groundwater to remedy or ameliorate that problem exempt from any replenishment assessment if the water is not applied to beneficial surface use, its extractions are made in compliance with all the terms and conditions of the board resolution, and the board has determined in the resolution either of the following:

(1) The groundwater to be extracted is unusable and cannot be economically blended for use with other water.

(2) The proposed program involves extraction of usable water in the same quantity as will be returned to the underground without degradation of quality.

(b) The resolution may provide those terms and conditions the board deems appropriate, including, but not limited to, restrictions on the quantity of extractions to be so exempted, limitations on time, periodic reviews, requirement of submission of test results from a laboratory holding a valid certification or accreditation as required by Section 13176, and any other relevant terms or conditions. Upon written notice to the operator involved, the board may rescind or modify its resolution. The rescission or modification of the resolution shall apply to groundwater extractions occurring more than 10 days after the rescission or modification. Notice of rescission or modification shall be either mailed first-class mail, postage prepaid, at least two weeks prior to the meeting of the board at which the rescission or modification will be made to the address of record of the operator or personally delivered two weeks prior to the meeting. All board determinations shall be final.

(Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 727, Sec. 7. Effective January 1, 2001.)