California Sportfishing Protection Alliance (CSPA) advocates for water rights reform in California to ensure the protection and sustainable management of the state’s water resources, particularly for the benefit of fish and aquatic ecosystems.
In particular, CSPA works to address the overallocation of water rights, the failure to enforce existing regulations, and the protection of water flows needed to sustain healthy fish populations and ecosystems.
CSPA engages in legal advocacy, policy reform, and public education. CSPA also actively participates in state water management processes, challenging water rights permits and allocations that threaten fish species like salmon and steelhead.
CSPA works to hold state agencies accountable for enforcing environmental laws such as the Clean Water Act, and frequently files lawsuits to compel compliance with water quality and flow standards.
In addition, CSPA advocates for modernizing California’s water rights system to reflect current ecological realities. This includes pushing for reforms that prioritize public trust resources in water allocation decisions and challenging outdated water rights that contribute to the depletion of rivers and streams.
Through scientific research, coalition building, and public awareness campaigns, CSPA seeks to reshape water policies to protect fisheries and ensure the long-term sustainability of the state’s water resources.
Water Rights Protests
When an entity seeks a new water rights permit or wants to modify an existing one, it must apply to the State Water Resources Control Board (State Board). Public notices of these applications typically allow a 30 to 60 day window for protests.
CSPA regularly protests these applications for reasons including:
- Legal violations
- Lack of public benefit
- Harmful impacts to fish
CSPA’s Protest Strategy
CSPA reviews every water rights application and petition. In its review CSPA considers factors such as environmental impact, water availability, and legal issues. CSPA’s protests often aim to secure mitigations like fish screens or increased river flows, while others seek to stop projects entirely to protect river ecosystems.
Protest Process
Filing a protest requires research and legal preparation. Once a protest is accepted, the applicant must respond. If unresolved, further meetings or legal actions, including environmental impact reports, may follow. The State Board may grant a hearing where both sides present evidence and testimony. If unresolved, legal challenges may continue.
Notable Success: Auburn Dam
In 1998, CSPA protested a time-extension petition for Auburn Dam. The permits for Auburn Dam had been granted in 1971 but had not been used. After many years of delay, the State Board revoked the permits in 2009 following a hearing where CSPA and its allies successfully argued against the project.
Ongoing Protests
The Administrative Hearings Office (AHO) was created in 2019 to help resolve backlogged cases. CSPA, along with many others are currently protesting the water rights applications for the proposed Sites Reservoir and the proposed Delta Tunnel as well as many other lower profile water rights applications.
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