Section 1022 Of Chapter 1.5. Water Leases From California Water Code >> Division 2. >> Part 1. >> Chapter 1.5.
1022
. If the water subject to the lease is held by a water
district, a water company, or a mutual water company, hereafter
collectively referred to as the district, the following provisions
apply:
(a) The governing body of the district may, by a resolution
adopted and entered in its minutes, determine that the district
should lease water pursuant to this chapter, or, if otherwise
required by law, determine that an election should be held to lease
water pursuant to this chapter. The district shall administer any
water lease and determine whether water is in excess of the needs of
the district and is available for a lease.
(b) Any water lease administered by the district shall include
provisions to achieve all of the following:
(1) Establish a schedule for district water users to provide
written notice of the intention to participate in a water lease.
(2) Establish a minimum price for the water available for leasing
to maintain the financial integrity of the district and enter into
leases for that water at market values at or above the minimum price.
(3) Annually distribute the net monetary proceeds to water users
in the district who have participated in the water leases, according
to district water allocation policies, after first deducting district
costs. These costs include, but are not limited to, the cost of the
water, whether or not water is delivered, the costs of conveyance,
distribution and development facilities, lease administration, and
other appropriate district costs apportioned to water users in the
district who forego the use of district water to participate in the
water lease.
(c) Participation in a water lease administered by the district
pursuant to this section is deemed to be a public service generally
provided by the public body or board for purposes of paragraph (3) of
subdivision (a) of Section 1091.5 of the Government Code.