Prior Appropriation Doctrine
Settling the West“First in Time, First in Right”Claim it, Build it, Use itMost Senior Rights are Generally AgDesert Land Act of 1877
California ConstitutionArticle X, Section 2
Waters of State
– “Fullest Beneficial Use”
– BUT:
No “Waste”
No “Unreasonable Use”
State and Federal Projects
Central Valley Project– Shasta Dam & Reser.– Sacramento River– Delta Pumping– Canal– Service to SJ Valley
Agricultural Customers
State Water Project– Oroville Dam & Res.– Feather & Sacramento
Rivers– Delta Pumping– Canal– Service to SJ Ag and
Urban Southern California
Colorado River
1/3 of Southern California’s Supply
Colorado River: “Law of the River”– 7 States divided into Upper and Lower Basin– 14 million acre feet apportioned– California: 4.4 maf– California: using 5.3 maf via “surplus” water– California: must ramp down
Environmental Overlay
Federal ESA
Clean Water Act
Fish & Game Code– Section 5937– Section 1602
Article X, Section 2– Waste &
Unreasonable Use– New Deployment
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