Wednesday Top of the Scroll: Northern California ranchers told to stop diverting water, defying rules amid drought
California has warned a group of farmers and ranchers near the Oregon state line to stop diverting water from an area already wracked by extreme drought and a wildfire that killed tens of thousands of fish. The State Water Resources Control Board issued a draft cease-and-desist order Friday to the Shasta Water Assn., warning it to stop taking water from the Shasta River watershed. The association has 20 days to request a hearing or the order becomes final and could subject the organization to fines of up to $10,000 a day, according to the state water agency. The diversions were continuing as of Tuesday, said Ailene Voisin, a state water board information officer.
Related articles:
- Herald & News: Klamath Irrigation District defies order to cease water deliveries
- Associated Press: Oregon officials defy order to halt farmer water deliveries
- U.S. Department of the Interior: News release: Historic funding from President Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure law headed to Klamath Basin
- Lost Coast Outpost: Local Tribes Demand Immediate Action After Upstream Farming Association Found to be Illegally Diverting Shasta River Water From Reaching the Klamath