Bills would give the state greater authority to manage and address waste and illegal water use.
While heavy rains allowed water to flow over the Lake Oroville spillway last month, the state needs better enforcement to stop illegal water diversions downstream as climate change endangers the water supply.California’s inability to prevent illegal and wasteful use of its water supply is more annoying than a leaky faucet. And far more costly.
Two bills introduced into the Legislature would help solve the problem. Assembly Bill 460, introduced by Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, D-Orinda, and Assembly Bill 1337, introduced by Buffy Wicks, D-Oakland, would empower the state Water Resources Control Board to act more promptly to stop illegal water practices.
The problem stems from the state’s water-rights system, which dates back to the Gold Rush. California has more than 40,000 water-rights holders who in most years have claims that total far more than the available supply. Every summer sees those holding rights to water they can’t access demanding more. When they can’t get enough to irrigate crops or feed livestock, farmers and ranchers too often succumb to the temptation to illegally divert water.
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