2007 California Water Code Chapter 1. General Declarations And Policy

CA Codes (wat:10800-10802)

10800.  This part shall be known and may be cited as the
Agricultural Water Management Planning Act.



10801.  The Legislature finds and declares as follows:
   (a) The waters of the state are a limited and renewable resource.

   (b) The Constitution requires that water in the state be used in a
reasonable and beneficial way.
   (c) Urban water districts, which represent more than 22,000,000
Californians and use less than 12 percent of the water consumed in
the state, are required by Part 2.6 (commencing with Section 10610)
to submit water management plans.
   (d) More than 84 percent of the water used in the state is used
for agricultural purposes.
   (e) The conservation of agricultural water supplies are of great
statewide concern.
   (f)   There is a great amount of reuse of delivered water, both
inside and outside the water service areas.
   (g) Significant noncrop beneficial uses are associated with
agricultural water use, including streamflows and wildlife habitat.
   (h) Significant opportunities exist in some areas, through
improved irrigation water management, to conserve water or to reduce
the quantity of highly saline or toxic drainage water.
   (i) Changes in water management practices shall be carefully
planned and implemented to minimize adverse effects on other
beneficial uses currently being served.
   (j) Agricultural water suppliers that receive water from the
federal Central Valley Project are required by federal law to develop
and implement water conservation plans.
   (k) Agricultural water users applying for a permit to appropriate
water from the State Water Resources Control Board are required to
develop and implement water conservation plans.



10802.  The Legislature finds and declares that it is the policy of
the state as follows:
   (a) The conservation of water shall be pursued actively to protect
both the people of the state and their water resources.
   (b) The conservation of agricultural water supplies shall be an
important criterion in public decisions on water.
   (c) Agricultural water suppliers, who determine that a significant
opportunity exists to conserve water or reduce the quantity of
highly saline or toxic drainage water, shall be required to develop
water management plans to achieve conservation of water.