A district may acquire, take or hold by gift, purchase, conditional sales contract, lease, condemnation, or other legal means, and maintain and operate the whole or any part of any irrigation system through which any lands in the district and lands contiguous thereto may be supplied with water for irrigation, including water rights, dams, diversion works, rights of way, canals, pumps and all property or things, real or personal, incidental thereto.
District Powers and DutiesIrrigation
Section § 50910
This law allows a district to acquire and manage parts or all of an irrigation system. This includes buying or leasing land, water rights, and equipment like dams and canals. They can use methods such as gifts, buying, or legal processes like condemnation to obtain these resources to supply water for irrigation.
irrigation system water rights land acquisition
Section § 50911
This section describes the authority of a district that has set up irrigation plans for district lands. The district can create rules for water distribution and set rates for water use. These rates may include charges even if the water isn't used. The standby charges are capped at $20 per year per acre unless modified by other specific laws. If a standby charge was established correctly, it can continue at the same rate every year. However, any new or increased charges require a formal process including notifications and hearings. The district can also collect these charges from landowners or sue if payments are not made.
When a district has adopted plans for the irrigation of district lands it may:
(a)CA Water Code § 50911(a) Adopt rules and regulations for the distribution of water.
(b)CA Water Code § 50911(b) Adopt a schedule of rates to be charged by the district for furnishing water for the irrigation of district lands. The schedule of rates may include standby charges to holders of title to land to which water may be made available, whether the water is actually used or not. The standby charge shall not exceed twenty dollars ($20) per year for each acre of land or for a parcel less than one acre, unless the standby charge is imposed pursuant to the Uniform Standby Charge Procedures Act (Chapter 12.4 (commencing with Section 54984) of Part 1 of Division 2 of Title 5 of the Government Code).
(c)CA Water Code § 50911(c) If the procedures set forth in this section as it read at the time a standby charge was established were followed, the district may, by resolution, continue the charge pursuant to this section in successive years at the same rate. If new, increased, or extended assessments are proposed, the district shall comply with the notice, protest, and hearing procedures in Section 53753 of the Government Code.
(d)CA Water Code § 50911(d) Collect the charges from the persons to or for whom the water was furnished and from the holders of title to land to which water has been made available, whether used or not.
(e)CA Water Code § 50911(e) Sue for the recovery of the unpaid charges.
irrigation plans water distribution rate schedule
Section § 50912
This law allows a district to provide water for irrigation to lands within the district once tolls, rates, and regulations set by the board are followed. It also permits the district to supply water to land next to the district if the water can be delivered through existing irrigation canals or ditches within the district.
A district, upon payment of and compliance with such tolls, rates, and regulations as the board may adopt, may furnish through its irrigation works, water for irrigation of district lands, and may furnish, to nondistrict land contiguous to the district, water where it can be furnished through canals or ditches which may be used for the irrigation of lands within the district.
irrigation water district lands nondistrict land
Section § 50913
When the board collects money for irrigation charges, these funds must be deposited into the county treasury and credited to the "irrigation fund."
Moneys collected by the board for irrigation charges pursuant to Section 50911, when deposited in the county treasury shall be credited to the “irrigation fund.”
irrigation charges board collections county treasury
Section § 50914
This law states that any money placed in an 'irrigation fund' can only be spent if the district's board authorizes it. The funds can only be used to cover costs related to irrigation projects or any connected expenses.
Money deposited in an “irrigation fund” shall be disbursed only on orders or warrants of the board in payment of the expense or cost of irrigation or irrigation works constructed by the district, or incidental expenses incurred in connection therewith.
irrigation fund disbursement board authorization
