A rural water agency that was ordered to stop pumping river water to farmers south of the delta sued the state on Thursday, alleging that California officials don’t have the authority to deny their century-old claim to water.
The lawsuit, filed by the Banta-Carbona Irrigation District, is one of the first to challenge the water restrictions imposed by the state last week on farms, irrigation districts and communities with some of California’s oldest water rights. But it’s not likely to be the last.
The move by the State Water Resources Control Board to halt draws from rivers and creeks by landowners with water rights dating back to 1914, before the state tracked and permitted water use, is drawing increasing criticism. Legal action is likely to test the state’s ability to manage the drought.
http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Water-agency-sues-state-over-draconian-cuts-6336527.php