Section 1052 Of Chapter 2. Administrative Provisions Generally From California Water Code >> Division 2. >> Part 1. >> Chapter 2.
1052
. (a) The diversion or use of water subject to this division
other than as authorized in this division is a trespass.
(b) The Attorney General, upon request of the board, shall
institute in the superior court in and for any county where the
diversion or use is threatened, is occurring, or has occurred an
action for the issuance of injunctive relief as may be warranted by
way of temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction, or
permanent injunction.
(c) Any person or entity committing a trespass as defined in this
section may be liable in an amount not to exceed the following:
(1) If the unauthorized diversion or use occurs in a critically
dry year immediately preceded by two or more consecutive below
normal, dry, or critically dry years or during a period for which the
Governor has issued a proclamation of a state of emergency under the
California Emergency Services Act (Chapter 7 (commencing with
Section 8550) of Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code) based
on drought conditions, the sum of the following:
(A) One thousand dollars ($1,000) for each day in which the
trespass occurs.
(B) Two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) for each acre-foot
of water diverted or used in excess of that diverter's water rights.
(2) If the unauthorized diversion or use is not described by
paragraph (1), five hundred dollars ($500) for each day in which the
unauthorized diversion or use occurs.
(d) Civil liability for a violation of this section may be imposed
by the superior court or the board as follows:
(1) The superior court may impose civil liability in an action
brought by the Attorney General, upon request of the board, to
impose, assess, and recover any sums pursuant to subdivision (c). In
determining the appropriate amount, the court shall take into
consideration all relevant circumstances, including, but not limited
to, the extent of harm caused by the violation, the nature and
persistence of the violation, the length of time over which the
violation occurs, and the corrective action, if any, taken by the
violator.
(2) The board may impose civil liability in accordance with
Section 1055.
(e) All funds recovered pursuant to this section shall be
deposited in the Water Rights Fund established pursuant to Section
1550.
(f) The remedies prescribed in this section are cumulative and not
alternative.