Several regional irrigation districts have sued the State of California over recent water cuts.
The plaintiffs have pre-1914 water rights and say that the State does not have the authority to curtail their rights. California enacted its water rights law in 1914. It gave preference to senior water rights holders that had established water claims before the law was passed.
The lawsuits seek to overturn drought emergency water curtailments imposed last month by the State Water Resources Control Board, with some saying that the State denied senior right holders due process.
Fresno Superior Court Lawsuits.
On August 20, the State Water Resources Control Board stopped water diversions for 10,300 water rights on the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. This affected about 4,500 farms. On September 2,  the San Joaquin Tributaries Authority filed suit in the Fresno Superior Court. The Authority represents Modesto Irrigation District, Turlock Irrigation District, Oakdale Irrigation District and South San Joaquin Irrigation District. The San Francisco City and County joined the suit. According to Vegetable Growers News
Lawsuits in Sacramento County Superior Court.
Vegetable Growers News
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