June 7th workshop: Water Diversion and Reporting Course

Water Measurement and Reporting Course

 

This training will be held on Friday June 7th, 2019 from 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

At the Santa Ynez Community Services District, 1070 Faraday St., Santa Ynez, CA 93460

 

Senate Bill 88 requires that all surface water right holders who have previously diverted or intend to divert more than 10 acre-feet per year (riparian and pre-1914 claims), or who are authorized to divert more than 10 acre-feet per year under a permit, license, or registration, to measure and report the water they divert.  Detailed information on the regulatory requirements for measurement and reporting is available on the State Water Resources Control Board “Reporting and Measurement Regulation” webpage.The legislation as written requires that for diversion (or storage) greater than or equal to 100 acre-feet annually that installation and certificationof measurement methods be approved by an Engineer/Contractor/Professional.  Diverters across CA were concerned about this requirement.  

California Cattlemen's Association heard from their membership and worked with Assemblyman Bigelow on a bill that would result in a self-certification option.  Assembly Bill 589 was passed and became law on January 1, 2018. This bill, until January 1, 2023, allows any diverter, as defined, who has completed this instructional course on measurement devices and methods administered by the University of California Cooperative Extension, including passage of a proficiency test, to be considered a qualified individual when installing and maintaining devices or implementing methods of measurement. The bill requires the University of California Cooperative Extension and the Board to jointly develop the curriculum for the course and the proficiency test. 

 

At the workshop you will:

  • Clarify reporting requirements for farms and ranches.
  • Understand what meters are appropriate for different situations.
  • Learn how to determine measurement equipment accuracy.
  • Develop an understanding of measurement weirs.
  • Learn how to calculate and report volume from flow data.

 

Registration is required; there is a fee of $25. Registration link here.

   (https://ucanr.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=27389)

 

For questions, please contact Matthew Shapero at (805) 645-1475 or mwkshapero@ucanr.edu. For other helpful resources regarding water measuring, reporting, and AB 589, please visit: https://ucanr.edu/sites/AB589/


By Matthew Shapero
Author - Livestock and Range Advisor