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Legal Alert

State Water Board Reinstates Monthly Reporting Requirement on Diverters in Sacramento and San Joaquin River Watersheds

State Water Board Reinstates Monthly Reporting Requirement on Diverters in Sacramento and San Joaquin River Watersheds

On March 31, 2016, the State Water Resources Control Board announced that diverters subject to Informational Order WR 2015-0002-DWR (February 4, 2015) are required to submit March 2016 diversion data by April 6, 2016. The data must be submitted online at http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/waterrights/water_issues/programs/ewrims/curtailment/wateruseinfo_actual.php.

The monthly reporting requirement comes from the Informational Order issued last year to pre-1914 and riparian water right claimants in the Sacramento and San Joaquin River watersheds. That Order requires covered claimants to submit information regarding their monthly diversions by the 5th day of each succeeding month.

In January 2016, the Water Board suspended the monthly reporting requirement temporarily, citing "recent precipitation and coincident seasonal reduction in agricultural irrigation" as having "reduced pressure on the State's water system." The monthly reporting requirement remained suspended through February 2016. However, the Water Board has now lifted the suspension citing a "need to better understand how diverters are responding to current conditions" as the State approaches "the core irrigation season."

Barring any further suspensions by the Water Board, the Informational Order and its monthly reporting requirement will remain in effect until September 13, 2016.

For More Information, Please Contact:

Samir Abdelnour
Samir Abdelnour
Director of Pro Bono and Social Impact
Partner
Walnut Creek, CA