Continuing our discussion from a previous post, http://allwaterrights.com/2016/01/27/diverters-must-report-weekly-daily-or-hourly-starting-2017/, surface water diverters must have some kind of measurement system, and must report diversions more frequently. The Water Board posted a fact sheet online that summarizes the emergency regulations: SENATE BILL 88 AND EMERGENCY REGULATION FORMEASURING AND REPORTING ON THE DIVERSION OF WATER
Many diverters, particularly those who report less than 100 acre-feet (AF) per year, can find enough information in this blog to successfully install their own measurement devices. 100 AF per year is equivalent to a year-round, 24-7 diversion of 0.140 cubic feet per second (cfs). If the diverter only uses water during the irrigation season, the equivalent rate is higher. For example, a diversion for 90 days is only 1/4 of a year, so the rate is proportionately 4 times greater: 0.560 cfs.
What are some of the other regulations? Here are a few from the January 8 version, which still has the edits shown. The first is that diverters must “immediately” report changes in name, address, or ownership. Sometimes, buyers of property don’t even know they have a permit or license! Not immediately reporting something a buyer is not even aware of, puts the new owner in legal trouble:
There are changes in the regs which we have already discussed, in measurement devices, reporting frequency, and who is legally qualified to install measurement devices:
More on the regulations later, including additional information about how to comply with the law, stay out of trouble, and protect your right to divert water
