Opinion ID: 1800972
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: supervision over permits and issuance of licenses

Text: (6) The permit gives the right to take and use water only to the extent and for the purpose granted and under the terms and conditions of division 2 of the Water Code and as specified in the permit (Wat. Code, §§ 1381-1391), and the right is conditional. To perfect the right, the permittee must diligently commence and complete construction of the project and apply the water to beneficial use in accordance with the law and the terms of the permit. (Wat. Code, §§ 1395-1397; Madera Irr. Dist. v. All Persons (1957) 47 Cal.2d 681, 690-691 [306 P.2d 886].) The board requires the filing of annual progress reports by each permittee detailing the progress made in these activities. (Cal. Admin. Code, tit. 23, § 782.) As soon as project construction and application of the water to full beneficial use have been accomplished, the information is reported to the board (Wat. Code, § 1600), and the board's staff conducts an inspection (Wat. Code, § 1605). If the board finds that the permittee has completed construction and has applied the water to beneficial use in accordance with the law and the permit, it issues a license which confirms the appropriation. (Wat. Code, § 1610.) If the findings are favorable to the permittee, the issuance of the license is mandatory and ministerial. (Wat. Code, § 1610, Cal. Admin. Code, tit. 23, § 2712, subd. (c).) Licensees are also required to file periodic reports of water use with the board. (Cal. Admin. Code, tit. 23, § 782.)