California lawmaker drops plan to regulate senior water rights holders
Farmers, business groups and water agencies called the proposal an overhaul of water management in California that would make it hard to deliver water. California Assemblymember Buffy Wicks has withdrawn her proposal to increase state regulators' authority over the owners of California's oldest, most senior water rights due to opposition from water agencies, farmers, and business groups. The bill, A.B. 1337, passed the Assembly last year but has been awaiting a hearing in the Senate. This decision comes after a deal was reached with Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan on a bill to increase fines for water theft. Advocates argue that the water rights system is outdated, favoring agricultural users over growing cities.
Опубликовано : 11 месяцев назад от Camille von Kaenel в Politics
SACRAMENTO, California — Assemblymember Buffy Wicks is killing her proposal to increase state regulators’ authority over the owners of California’s oldest, most senior water rights amid intense opposition from water agencies, farmers and business groups.
Wicks’ legislative director Zak Castillo-Krings confirmed Tuesday that she was pulling the bill, A.B. 1337, which passed the Assembly last year but has been awaiting a hearing in the Senate. The decision comes after water users reached a deal last week with Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan on a bill, A.B. 460, to increase fines for water theft.
Both bills emerged last year after three years of historic drought exposed the state’s limits in overseeing water use.
Advocates of reform, including environmental groups, argue that the water rights system is out of date, privileging agricultural users with century-old rights over growing cities.