California’s Water Supply

Chris Scheuring

California Farm Bureau Federation

Or, why are these two guys flying around in a helicopter?

Physical Reality

Physical Reality v. 2

Prior Appropriation Doctrine

Settling the West“First in Time, First in Right”Claim it, Build it, Use itMost Senior Rights are Generally AgDesert Land Act of 1877

California ConstitutionArticle X, Section 2

Waters of State

– “Fullest Beneficial Use”

– BUT:

No “Waste”

No “Unreasonable Use”

“Reclamation”

Reclamation Act of 1902

“If We Build It, You Will Come”

Affirmative Federal Action

State and Federal Projects

Central Valley Project– Shasta Dam & Reser.– Sacramento River– Delta Pumping– Canal– Service to SJ Valley

Agricultural Customers

State Water Project– Oroville Dam & Res.– Feather & Sacramento

Rivers– Delta Pumping– Canal– Service to SJ Ag and

Urban Southern California

Colorado River

1/3 of Southern California’s Supply

Colorado River: “Law of the River”– 7 States divided into Upper and Lower Basin– 14 million acre feet apportioned– California: 4.4 maf– California: using 5.3 maf via “surplus” water– California: must ramp down

One Planet

Environmental Overlay

Federal ESA

Clean Water Act

Fish & Game Code– Section 5937– Section 1602

Article X, Section 2– Waste &

Unreasonable Use– New Deployment

Global Warming

Solutions?

Infrastructure?– Canals & Dams

ESA Reform?– One fish too many?

Water Rights “Reform”?– Change the Rules

Conservation/Efficiency?