State Water Resources Control Board: instream flow curtailments: compensation.

Under existing law, the State Water Resources Control Board administers a water rights program pursuant to which the board grants permits and licenses to divert water. Existing law requires each person who diverts water to file with the board a statement of his or her diversion and use, unless the diversion is covered by a permit or license to appropriate water on file with the board. This bill would require the board to financially compensate a person who is unable to divert the full amount of water authorized under his or her permit or license due to a board-issued instream flow curtailment, and a person who is required to file a statement of diversion and use and is unable to divert the same amount of water in the succeeding year due to a board-issued instream flow curtailment. The bill would only apply this requirement to instream flow curtailments issued by the board on and after January 1, 2017. This bill would make various findings and declarations.