The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) is currently accepting comments on its guidelines for complying with water diversion measurement requirements.  The guidelines, which will take effect January 1, 2012, will apply to most water diverters, including duck clubs and farmers who currently flood their land for waterfowl habitat purposes.  Failure to comply with the water diversion measurement requirements may result in civil penalties that carry a maximum fine of $1000 plus $500 for each day the violation continues after 30 days of the SWRCB notification of the violation.

Water diverters will be required to install expensive water measuring devices such as flow meters, which can cost many thousands of dollars when installation and related costs are factored in, unless they can prove to the SWRCB that it is "not locally cost effective" to do so.  But even in that case, the SWRCB can still mandate alternative measuring methods.

California Waterfowl strongly urges duck clubs and other landowners who divert water to provide input on the SWRCB draft guidelines (see below) to help ensure that they are as flexible as possible and take into consideration cost issues.  Please also ask the SWRCB to have additional hearings outside of Sacramento to ensure adequate public input from affected stakeholders, particularly as it relates to which water measurement practices are "locally cost effective" and which practices are not.  Comments are due by noon on Friday, November 18, 2011 and can be submitted by email to rsatkowski@waterboards.ca.gov or via fax to (916) 341-5400 with the subject "Comment Letter - Water Measurement."

Draft Guidelines PDF

More Information from the SWRCB