SECTIONS 480-484 - California Statutes

WATER CODE

SECTION 480-484

480. The department shall establish an ongoing program to
facilitate the voluntary exchange or transfer of water and implement
the various state laws that pertain to water transfers. The
department shall seek to facilitate these transactions only if the
water to be transferred is already developed and being diverted from
a stream for beneficial use or has been conserved.

481. The department shall create and maintain a list of entities
seeking to enter into water supply transfers, leases, exchanges, or
other similar arrangements. In addition, the department shall
maintain a list of the physical facilities which may be available to
carry out water supply transfers.

482. The department shall prepare a water transfer guide which
shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:
(a) A review of existing and appropriate state and federal laws
that pertain to water transfers, water markets, or water rights.
(b) A list of persons or public agencies throughout the state
involved in water management who could be helpful to those seeking
assistance to transfer water.
(c) Information and resources which could be used to identify
potential third-party impacts and mitigation alternatives, including
economic, environmental, and legal issues related to the transfer of
water.
(d) A description of the services available to water users from
the department.

483. The department shall consult and coordinate its activities
with other state boards, departments, agencies, or offices whose
assistance may be desirable or necessary in carrying out the purposes
of this chapter.

484. (a) The temporary transfer of any water or water right that
otherwise would have been consumptively used or stored by the
transferor in the absence of the temporary transfer, does not in any
way prejudice the transferor's right to the use of the water in the
future.
(b) "Consumptively used," for purposes of this section, means the
amount of water which has been consumed through use by
evapotranspiration, has percolated underground, or has been otherwise
removed from use in the downstream water supply as a result of
direct diversion.