Opinion ID: 1800972
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: procedure for revoking appropriative permits and licenses

Text: In addition to prescribing the procedure outlined above, the Legislature completed the comprehensive scheme for administrating appropriative rights by empowering the board to see to it that the rights, once granted, would not be misused to the detriment of the people of the state. Both permits and licenses are made subject to partial or total revocation if the water is not placed to beneficial use in accordance with their terms and conditions and in accordance with division 2 of the Water Code. (Wat. Code, §§ 1410, 1651, 1675.) Division 2 contains the policy mandates governing actions by the board in approving and administering appropriative rights. Hearing requirements and judicial review procedures are established to assure that board action under these sections properly balances the rights of the appropriator with the needs of the public. (Wat. Code, §§ 1410-1415, 1675-1677.) (7) In summary, and in the words of Modesto Properties Co. v. State Water Rights Bd. (1960) 179 Cal. App.2d 856, 860 [4 Cal. Rptr. 226], the Legislature devised a plan which was commensurate in scope with the constitutional amendment [art. X, § 2], and delegated to the board by the Water Commission Act the authority to protect the public interest not only in the issuance of appropriative permits and licenses but also in their later administration. As pointed out in our earlier decision in this case (20 Cal.3d at p. 342), the board has been granted broad authority to control and condition water use, insuring utilization consistent with public interest. (Wat. Code, § 1257.) This authority includes protection of the environment. ( Id. ) The [board's] powers extend to regulation of water quality and prevention of waste. (E.g., Wat. Code, §§ 100, 275.) It has adopted administrative regulations to prevent waste and unreasonable use.