2022 appellate court ruling restricts California's water board from ordering pre-1914 rights holders to reduce diversions amid ongoing water rights disputes.
California's water rights disputes continue, with conflicts intensifying during droughts. Efforts to reduce farmer diversions, restore wildlife, and maintain river flows persist despite abundant rain and snow. The 2022 appellate court ruling that California's water board cannot order pre-1914 rights holders to reduce diversions highlights the legal and political complexities in addressing water allocation and conservation. Legislative attempts to strengthen the water board's curtailment authority have not been successful.
June 18, 2024
13 Articles