SECTIONS 75590-75601 - California Statutes

WATER CODE

SECTION 75590-75601

75590. Prior to the end of the water year in which the hearing is
held, and based upon the findings and determinations from the
hearing, the board shall determine whether or not a zone or zones
should be established and a ground water charge levied therein.

75591. If the board determines that a zone or zones should be
established and a ground water charge levied therein, it shall
establish the zone or zones and levy, assess, and affix the charge
against all persons operating ground water-producing facilities
within the zone or zones during the current or ensuing water year.
However, the board may waive any minimal charge, the collection of
which is determined by the board not to result in net economic
benefit to the district.

75592. The charge shall be computed at a fixed and uniform rate per
acre-foot for agricultural water, and at a fixed and uniform rate
per acre-foot for all water other than agricultural water. However, a
different fixed and uniform rate per acre-foot may be used to
compute the charge for all water other than agricultural water used
for irrigation purposes on parks, golf courses, schools, cemeteries,
and publicly owned historical sites.

75593. Different rates may be established in different zones;
provided, however, that in each zone the rate for agricultural water
shall be fixed and uniform and the rate for water other than
agricultural water shall be fixed and uniform.

75594. Except as provided in Section 75595, any ground water charge
in any year shall be established at a fixed and uniform rate for
each acre-foot for water other than agricultural water which is not
less than three times nor more than five times the fixed and uniform
rate established for agricultural water. However, any groundwater
charge in any year for water other than agricultural water used for
irrigation purposes on parks, golf courses, schools, cemeteries, and
publicly owned historical sites may be established at a fixed and
uniform rate for each acre-foot which shall not be less than the rate
established for agricultural water, nor more than the rate
established for all water other than agricultural water.

75595. In any county which has a population of 503,000 or more and
less than 600,000, any ground water charge in any year shall be
established at a fixed and uniform rate for each acre-foot for water
other than agricultural water in such proportion to the fixed and
uniform rate established for agricultural water as the board shall
determine.

75596. Any ground water charge levied pursuant to this part shall
be in addition to any general tax or assessment levied within the
district or a zone or zones thereof; provided, that in any fiscal
year, the sums raised by any ground water charge levied by the
district in any zone or zones, shall not produce funds for district
purposes that would exceed such amount as is deemed necessary by the
district board to be used in furtherance of district purposes in the
replenishment, augmentation, and the protection of water supplies for
users within the district or a zone or zones thereof.

75598. In addition to the information required to be given to the
board of supervisors and the auditor of each affected county pursuant
to Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 75350) of Part 8 of this
division, the board shall at the same time annually furnish the board
of supervisors and the auditor of each affected county the estimated
sum of a ground water charge which the board intends to levy in any
zone or zones.

75600. Clerical errors occurring or appearing in the name of any
person or in the description of the water-producing facility where
the production of water therefrom is otherwise properly charged, or
in the making or extension of any charge upon the records which do
not affect the substantial rights of the assessee or assessees, shall
not invalidate the ground water charge.

75601. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the board
may amend the report prepared pursuant to Section 75561 at any time
during the water year. Upon completion of any amended report, the
board shall deliver the report to the secretary.
(b) The secretary shall publish a notice of the receipt of the
amended report and of a public hearing. The notice shall be published
pursuant to Section 75571.
(c) The board shall hold a public hearing within 30 days after the
receipt of the amended report. Persons may appear and submit
evidence at the public hearing concerning the groundwater conditions
and the surface water supplies of the district. Any person may
protest or support the amended report.
(d) The board may modify a groundwater charge levied pursuant to
Section 75591 if, in the judgment of the board, based on the findings
and determinations from the hearing held pursuant to subdivision
(c), the modification is necessary.
(e) Any groundwater charge modified pursuant to subdivision (d) is
subject to Sections 75592, 75593, 75594, 75595, and 75596.
(f) Upon the modification of the groundwater charge pursuant to
subdivision (d), the board shall notify, in writing, the board of
supervisors and the auditor of each county of the modification.