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  • Environment
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$1.5 Million Fine Proposed For Water Diversion In Drought

  •  Amy Quinton 
Monday, July 20, 2015 | Sacramento, CA
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California water regulators are taking steps to stop illegal water diversions by irrigation districts with some of the oldest water rights.

The latest action proposes the largest penalty against a district since the drought began. 

The State Water Resources Control Board claims the Byron-Bethany Irrigation District illegally diverted water from a pumping plant for 12 days after the board announced water cuts. It proposes a $1.5 million fine.

“Byron-Bethany was very publicly stating that it wasn’t going to stop diversions, which as you can imagine draws attention of the regulators,” says Andrew Tauriainen, an attorney with the Division of Water Rights.

Byron-Bethany Irrigation District, located near Tracy, is a senior water right holder that is also suing the state over water cuts.

The hefty proposed fine is the first since Gov. Jerry Brown gave the board the authority to issue new penalties in the drought.

“I do expect the board to take a very close look at all the circumstances surrounding this diversion and others that may come before it when it decides what size penalty to come up with," says Tauriainen. "So I wouldn’t be surprised if the board would come up with a much higher penalty than that proposed here.”

The maximum penalty for the violation would be $5.1 million. The new rules allow the board to assess $1,000 a day plus $2,500 for each acre-foot of water diverted in excess of a district's right.

Last week, the board issued the first cease-and-desist order in the drought to the West Side Irrigation District in Tracy. That district also took the state to court over water cuts.

In a statement, Byron-Bethany Irrigation District called the board's action a "brazen abuse of authority," and an "unprecedented retaliatory action" for its lawsuit. The BBID says it will request a hearing before the water board. 


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    More about drought

  • State Of Drought

    Reservoir levels are at historic lows, municipalities are ordering mandatory conservation and farmers are bracing for water shortages. CapRadio is following how Californians are being impacted by the drought.

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    News Network: California's Water Reductions

    Tuesday, July 21, 2015
    CapRadio's Environment Reporter Amy Quinton details the $1.5 million fine levied against a Central Valley irrigation district by state water regulators.

 droughtcaliforniawaterstate water resources control boardirrigationDrought 2015water cuts

Amy Quinton

Former Environment Reporter

Amy came to Sacramento from New Hampshire Public Radio (NHPR) where she was Environment Reporter. Amy has also reported for NPR member stations WFAE in Charlotte, WAMU in Washington D.C. and American Public Media's "Marketplace."  Read Full Bio 

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