A California law imposing steeper fines for water rights holders who commit minor violations and illegally divert water out of river systems during a drought has recently been approved by Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Officially signed into law on Sept. 22, AB 460 will raise potential fines for those who take water from rivers and streams without authorization to $10,000 daily.
Other fines outlined in the bill include $2,500 for every acre-foot of water taken and $2,500 for every day a cease-and-desist order to stop pumping water from a river is ignored.
Under AB 460, individuals who violate a permit or a floodwater diversion reporting requirement for groundwater recharge will also face a civil penalty of up to $1,000 per day beginning in 2026, double the current amount….