Section 10731 Of Chapter 8. Financial Authority From California Water Code >> Division 6. >> Part 2.74. >> Chapter 8.
10731
. (a) Following an investigation pursuant to Section 10725.4,
the governing body may make a determination fixing the amount of
groundwater production from the groundwater extraction facility at an
amount not to exceed the maximum production capacity of the facility
for purposes of levying a groundwater charge. If a water-measuring
device is permanently attached to the groundwater extraction
facility, the record of production as disclosed by the
water-measuring device shall be presumed to be accurate unless the
contrary is established by the groundwater sustainability agency
after investigation.
(b) After the governing body makes a determination fixing the
amount of groundwater production pursuant to subdivision (a), a
written notice of the determination shall be mailed to the owner or
operator of the groundwater extraction facility at the address as
shown by the groundwater sustainability agency's records. A
determination made by the governing body shall be conclusive on the
owner or operator and the groundwater charges, based on the
determination together with any interest and penalties, shall be
payable immediately unless within 20 days after the mailing of the
notice the owner or operator files with the governing body a written
protest setting forth the ground for protesting the amount of
production or the groundwater charges, interest, and penalties. If a
protest is filed pursuant to this subdivision, the governing body
shall hold a hearing to determine the total amount of the groundwater
production and the groundwater charges, interest, and penalties.
Notice of the hearing shall be mailed to each protestant at least 20
days before the date fixed for the hearing. Notice of the
determination of the governing body hearing shall be mailed to each
protestant. The owner or operator shall have 20 days from the date of
mailing of the determination to pay the groundwater charges,
interest, and penalties determined by the governing body.