The people of the State hereby provide the following guarantees and protections in this article for water rights, water quality, and fish and wildlife resources.
Water Resources Development
Section § 1
This section sets out promises to safeguard water rights, ensure good water quality, and protect fish and wildlife resources.
water rights water quality fish protection
Section § 2
This law says any changes to the rules on how California protects fish and wildlife in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, Suisun Marsh, and San Francisco Bay, or how it manages water rights and quality there, can't take effect without voter approval. However, the Legislature can modify these provisions with a two-thirds vote, but only if the changes do not lessen protections for the delta or its wildlife.
No statute amending or repealing, or adding to, the provisions of the statute enacted by Senate Bill No. 200 of the 1979–80 Regular Session of the Legislature which specify (1) the manner in which the State will protect fish and wildlife resources in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, Suisun Marsh, and San Francisco Bay system westerly of the delta; (2) the manner in which the State will protect existing water rights in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta; and (3) the manner in which the State will operate the State Water Resources Development System to comply with water quality
standards and water quality control plans, shall become effective unless approved by the electors in the same manner as statutes amending initiative statutes are approved; except that the Legislature may, by statute passed in each house by roll call vote entered in the journal, two-thirds of the membership concurring, amend or repeal, or add to, these provisions if the statute does not in any manner reduce the protection of the delta or fish and wildlife.
Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Suisun Marsh San Francisco Bay
Section § 3
This law states that no one can take water from the sections of the California Wild and Scenic Rivers System as it was on January 1, 1981, to use in another large water system elsewhere in the state, unless they get special permission. This permission must come either from a law passed by the voters or by a two-thirds vote in the state Legislature.
No water shall be available for appropriation by storage in, or by direct diversion from, any of the components of the California Wild and Scenic Rivers System, as such system exists on January 1, 1981, where such appropriation is for export of water into another major hydrologic basin of the State, as defined in the Department of Water Resources Bulletin 160-74, unless such export is expressly authorized prior to such appropriation by: (a) an initiative statute approved by the electors, or (b) the Legislature, by statute passed in each house by roll call vote entered in the
journal, two-thirds of the membership concurring.
California Wild and Scenic Rivers System water appropriation export of water
Section § 4
This section states that any changes to the Delta Protection Act, which is part of California's water regulations, need voter approval unless the state legislature passes the changes with a two-thirds majority in both houses. However, such legislative changes must not reduce the protection of the delta or harm fish and wildlife.
No statute amending or repealing, or adding to, the provisions of Part 4.5 (commencing with Section 12200) of Division 6 of the Water Code (the Delta Protection Act) shall become effective unless approved by the electors in the same manner as statutes amending initiative statutes are approved; except that the Legislature may, by statute passed in each house by roll call vote entered in the journal, two-thirds of the membership concurring, amend or repeal, or add to, these provisions if the statute does not in any manner reduce the protection of the delta or fish and
wildlife.
Delta Protection Act voter approval water regulations
Section § 5
This law prevents any public agency from using a process called eminent domain to take water rights or water-related contract rights within the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, if the intention is to export that water out of the Delta. However, it does allow eminent domain to be used to acquire land or rights needed to build water facilities in the Delta.
No public agency may utilize eminent domain proceedings to acquire water rights, which are held for uses within the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta as defined in Section 12220 of the Water Code, or any contract rights for water or water quality maintenance in the Delta for the purpose of exporting such water from the Delta. This provision shall not be construed to prohibit the utilization of eminent domain proceedings for the purpose of acquiring land or any other rights necessary for the construction of water facilities, including, but not limited to, facilities authorized in
Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 12930) of Part 6 of Division 6 of the Water Code.
eminent domain water rights Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta
Section § 6
This law outlines the procedures and location for filing certain legal actions related to water resources and environmental issues in California, specifically in Sacramento County. It details which types of cases must be filed there, such as those challenging statutes related to water project operations and agreements. These cases have to be started within one year of the issue arising, and they are given priority in court over other civil cases.
The law also allows for the Supreme Court to take over certain cases if they significantly affect water projects or agreements. Additionally, it provides that Sacramento County may seek reimbursement for costs incurred due to these legal proceedings. Lastly, it clarifies that this law doesn't limit the Supreme Court's authority to transfer cases as allowed by the state constitution.
(a)CA California Constitution Code § 6(a) The venue of any of the following actions or proceedings brought in a superior court shall be Sacramento County:
(1)CA California Constitution Code § 6(a)(1) An action or proceeding to attack, review, set aside, void, or annul any provision of the statute enacted by Senate Bill No. 200 of the 1979–80 Regular Session of the Legislature.
(2)CA California Constitution Code § 6(a)(2) An action or proceeding to attack, review, set aside, void, or annul the determination made by the Director of Water
Resources and the Director of Fish and Game pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 11255 of the Water Code.
(3)CA California Constitution Code § 6(a)(3) An action or proceeding which would have the effect of attacking, reviewing, preventing, or substantially delaying the construction, operation, or maintenance of the peripheral canal unit described in subdivision (a) of Section 11255 of the Water Code.
(4)CA California Constitution Code § 6(a)(4) An action or proceeding to require the State Water Resources Development System to comply with subdivision (b) of Section 11460 of the Water Code.
(5)CA California Constitution Code § 6(a)(5) An action or proceeding to require the Department of Water Resources or its successor agency to comply with the permanent agreement specified in subdivision (a) of Section 11256 of the Water Code.
(6)CA California Constitution Code § 6(a)(6) An action or proceeding to require the
Department of Water Resources or its successor agency to comply with the provisions of the contracts entered into pursuant to Section 11456 of the Water Code.
(b)CA California Constitution Code § 6(b) An action or proceeding described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) shall be commenced within one year after the effective date of the statute enacted by Senate Bill No. 200 of the 1979–80 Regular Session of the Legislature. Any other action or proceeding described in subdivision (a) shall be commenced within one year after the cause of action arises unless a shorter period is otherwise provided by statute.
(c)CA California Constitution Code § 6(c) The superior court or a court of appeals shall give preference to the actions or proceedings described in this section over all civil actions or proceedings pending in the court. The superior court shall commence hearing any such action or proceeding within six months after the commencement of the action or
proceeding, provided that any such hearing may be delayed by joint stipulation of the parties or at the discretion of the court for good cause shown. The provisions of this section shall supersede any provisions of law requiring courts to give preference to other civil actions or proceedings. The provisions of this subdivision may be enforced by mandamus.
(d)CA California Constitution Code § 6(d) The Supreme Court shall, upon the request of any party, transfer to itself, before a decision in the court of appeal, any appeal or petition for extraordinary relief from an action or proceeding described in this section, unless the Supreme Court determines that the action or proceeding is unlikely to substantially affect (1) the construction, operation, or maintenance of the peripheral canal unit described in subdivision (a) of Section 11255 of the Water Code, (2) compliance with subdivision (b) of Section 11460 of the Water Code, (3) compliance with the permanent agreement specified in
Section 11256 of the Water Code, or (4) compliance with the provisions of the contracts entered into pursuant to Section 11456 of the Water Code. The request for transfer shall receive preference on the Supreme Court’s calendar. If the action or proceeding is transferred to the Supreme Court, the Supreme Court shall commence to hear the matter within six months of the transfer unless the parties by joint stipulation request additional time or the court, for good cause shown, grants additional time.
(e)CA California Constitution Code § 6(e) The remedy prescribed by the court for an action or proceeding described in paragraph (4), (5), or (6) of subdivision (a) shall include, but need not be limited to, compliance with subdivision (b) of Section 11460 of the Water Code, the permanent agreement specified in Section 11256 of the Water Code, or the provisions of the contracts entered into pursuant to Section 11456 of the Water Code.
(f)CA California Constitution Code § 6(f) The Board of Supervisors of the County of Sacramento may apply to the State Board of Control for actual costs imposed by the requirements of this section upon the county, and the State Board of Control shall pay such actual costs.
(g)CA California Constitution Code § 6(g) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, nothing in this Article shall be construed as prohibiting the Supreme Court from exercising the transfer authority contained in Article VI, Section 12 of the Constitution.
Sacramento County venue Senate Bill No. 200 Director of Water Resources
Section § 7
State agencies must use their powers in ways that align with the protections set out in this article.
State agencies shall exercise their authorized powers in a manner consistent with the protections provided by this article.
state agencies authorized powers protections
Section § 8
This law isn't active or valid unless a specific bill, Senate Bill No. 200 from the 1979–80 legislative session, is passed and becomes law.
This article shall have no force or effect unless Senate Bill No. 200 of the 1979–80 Regular Session of the Legislature is enacted and takes effect.
Senate Bill No. 200 1979–80 legislative session conditional effectiveness
