The department shall establish an ongoing program to facilitate the voluntary exchange or transfer of water and implement the various state laws that pertain to water transfers. The department shall seek to facilitate these transactions only if the water to be transferred is already developed and being diverted from a stream for beneficial use or has been conserved.
Water TransferState Assistance
Section § 480
This law requires the department to create a program that helps people voluntarily exchange or transfer water. This can only happen if the water is already being used in a beneficial way or has been saved through conservation efforts.
water transfer voluntary exchange beneficial use
Section § 481
This law requires the department to keep a list of organizations or entities that want to engage in water supply deals, such as transfers or leases. They also have to keep track of the physical facilities that might be used for these water transfers.
The department shall create and maintain a list of entities seeking to enter into water supply transfers, leases, exchanges, or other similar arrangements. In addition, the department shall maintain a list of the physical facilities which may be available to carry out water supply transfers.
water supply transfers water leases water exchanges
Section § 482
The department is required to create a water transfer guide. This guide will cover important aspects such as review of existing state and federal laws on water transfers, water markets, or water rights. It will also provide a list of contacts, including individuals and public agencies, that could assist in water management. Additionally, it will offer information on potential impacts of water transfers, along with solutions for any economic, legal, or environmental concerns. Lastly, it will describe services that the department offers to water users.
The department shall prepare a water transfer guide which shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:
(a)CA Water Code § 482(a) A review of existing and appropriate state and federal laws that pertain to water transfers, water markets, or water rights.
(b)CA Water Code § 482(b) A list of persons or public agencies throughout the state involved in water management who could be helpful to those seeking assistance to transfer water.
(c)CA Water Code § 482(c) Information and resources which
could be used to identify potential third-party impacts and mitigation alternatives, including economic or legal issues related to the transfer of water, and environmental issues, including, but not limited to, those described in Section 1018.
(d)CA Water Code § 482(d) A description of the services available to water users from the department.
water transfer guide water rights water markets
Section § 483
This law requires the department to work together with other state organizations whenever their help is needed to achieve the goals outlined in this chapter.
The department shall consult and coordinate its activities with other state boards, departments, agencies, or offices whose assistance may be desirable or necessary in carrying out the purposes of this chapter.
consultation coordination state boards
Section § 484
This law section explains that if you temporarily transfer your water rights, it doesn't affect your future rights to use that water. In other words, you can still claim your water in the future as if you had never transferred it. The law also defines 'consumptively used' water as the portion that's actually used up by evaporation, soaking into the ground, or otherwise taken out of the downstream water supply.
(a)CA Water Code § 484(a) The temporary transfer of any water or water right that otherwise would have been consumptively used or stored by the transferor in the absence of the temporary transfer, does not in any way prejudice the transferor’s right to the use of the water in the future.
(b)CA Water Code § 484(b) “Consumptively used,” for purposes of this section, means the amount of water which has been consumed through use by evapotranspiration, has percolated underground, or has been otherwise removed from use in the downstream water supply as a result of direct diversion.
temporary water transfer water rights future water use
