Mark Baird
is Vice
President of Scott Valley Protect Our Water
Baird explained that the State Dept. of Fish & Game is trying to
implement re-written Permits that will affect the use of the
agriculturists’ Water Rights. Two separate Permits will demand a
reduction in the legal water allotment that Water Right owners use
to irrigate their pastures and fields.
Farmers and ranchers believe this is a “water grab” by the State of
California and if allowed to be successful will create a major
problem for the rest of the state, including municipalities that
divert water for use by residents.
Those involved with Scott Valley Protect Our Water ad-hoc group are
standing on their U.S. and California Constitutional rights, which
protect Property Rights. Court decisions have declared Water Rights
are a Property Right.
If Water Rights are affected and the state can tell a landowner how
much water he or she can use — this is a “taking” of a Property
Right. |