Water in California - Water Rights

Water Rights

On more than one occasion, the California Supreme Court has noted that “he scope and technical complexity of issues concerning water resource management are unequalled by virtually any other type of activity presented to the courts." An example of this complexity is demonstrated in the case of National Audubon Society v. Superior Court.

Water rights are divided in multiple ways. Water rights to surface water and underground sources are separate. Also, California recognizes four distinct types of water rights to surface water in its statutory and common law: pueblo, riparian, prior appropriation, and water reserved by the U.S. A fifth statutory right also provides area of origin watershed rights.

Read more about this topic:  Water In California

Famous quotes containing the words water and/or rights:

    No speed of wind or water rushing by
    But you have speed far greater.
    Robert Frost (1874–1963)

    Unless democracy is to commit suicide by consenting to its own destruction, it will have to find some formidable answer to those who come to it saying: “I demand from you in the name of your principles the rights which I shall deny to you later in the name of my principles.”
    Walter Lippmann (1889–1974)