This Policy is Inactive

Curtailment of Post-1914 Water Rights in the Scott, Sacramento, San Joaquin, and Russian River Watersheds

CA IB-2014-010
Information Bulletin

June 4, 2014

In Reply Refer To:
7000 (CA930) P

EMS TRANSMISSION: 6/4/14 
Information Bulletin No. CA-2014-010

To:            All CA District and Field Managers

From:        Deputy State Director, Natural Resources

Subject:    Curtailment of Post-1914 Water Rights in the Scott, Sacramento, San Joaquin,
                  and Russian River Watersheds

Program Area:  Soil, Water, and Air

Purpose:  This Information Bulletin is to advise you that the State Water Resources Control Board (Board) has curtailed post-1914 water rights in the Scott, Sacramento, San Joaquin, and Russian River watersheds due to continuing drought conditions. 

Background
The Board has curtailed post-1914 water rights in the Scott, Sacramento, San Joaquin and Russian River watersheds due to continuing drought conditions.  Specific Board postings for each watershed can be found here: http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/waterrights/water_issues/programs/drought/water_availability.shtml.  There are limited exceptions to this curtailment, such as when water is the only source for human health and safety purposes.  To seek an exemption, you must contact the Board and provide information supporting the fact that there is no other available water supply and maximum water conservation has been implemented.

Whether you are seeking an exception or not, you must provide the Board with a completed online Curtailment Certification Form (Form), which may be found on the above website.  The Form must be submitted within 7 days.  If you are a water right holder in these watersheds, you should have already received their letter notifying you of this curtailment.

California BLM holds over 2,300 water rights in the State.  Depending upon the severity of the continuing drought, these rights may be impacted through Board-issued curtailments.  Junior water rights (post-1914) have already been curtailed in the Scott, Sacramento, San Joaquin, and Russian River watersheds.  The Board will impose penalties if junior water right holders are found to be diverting water without an exception from the Board.  I encourage you to review your water rights programs and identify all post-1914 water rights held by your office and to ensure that ALL necessary annual and triennial reporting of use to the Board is up-to-date.

Policy/Action:  BLM policy in 7250 requires cooperation with State Governments, conformance to applicable State water rights laws, protection of existing senior water rights, and acquiring and/or perfecting water rights.

Contact:  Christina Lund, Botany, Riparian, and Healthy Lands Program Leader at (916) 
978-4638. 
 

Signed by:                                    
Tom Pogacnik                                    
DSD, Natural Resources                            

Authenticated by:
Richard A. Erickson
Records Management

Office

California State Office

Fiscal Year

2014