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The California State Water Board unanimously agreed to issue an emergency ordinance prohibiting some farmers from diverting water from rivers and streams in the Sacramento and San Joaquin watersheds to irrigate their crops.
Amid one of California’s worst droughts, the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta watershed suffers from low supply as demand continues to climb.
“This drought is very real,” said Karen Ross, secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture. “It’s a painful moment.”
Under the new order, Californians planning to divert more than 55 gallons per day from rivers or streams in this region must submit a petition and proposal to the deputy state director for approval. All water rights holders must also declare their water use and submit certification to comply with the new standards.
Anyone, company or group that breaks the order will be subject to possible penalties and fines, officials said. The Water Board said enforcement will be gradual and will focus primarily on high-quality water violations that have a significant impact on water flow.
The order must be approved by the Office of Administrative Law and filed with the Secretary of State before it takes effect, according to a press release from the State Water Board. The regulation is expected to come into effect on Aug. 16, officials said.
The Delta is the state’s largest source of surface water, providing two-thirds of Californians with at least some of their drinking water, according to regulators. Officials said the state is going through what is expected to be the second driest two-year period on record. April, May and June were the hottest and driest on record since 1896, they said.
During a comment period, residents acknowledged the crisis in the state, but some said the action violated due process rights and urged regulators to slow implementation of the ordinance. . Some speakers said the ordinance places an unfair burden on most small farmers who would be left to prove their water rights.
Over 95% of the West is in some level of drought, with almost two-thirds in extreme or exceptional drought – the two worst categories. Six states are entirely in drought conditions.
CNN’s Aya Elamroussi contributed to this report.
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