Article 1. Water Distribution of California Water Code >> Division 13. >> Part 5. >> Chapter 2.5. >> Article 1.

The provisions of this chapter shall apply only to the Kern Delta Water District, the Cawelo Water District, the Rag Gulch Water District, and the Kern-Tulare Water District as member units of the Kern County Water Agency or to an improvement district formed within the Kern Delta Water District, the Cawelo Water District, the Rag Gulch Water District, or the Kern-Tulare Water District pursuant to the provisions of this division.

In addition to, and as an alternative to, the matters contained in this division regarding apportionment of water, the district may by resolution adopt a plan for water allocation which may include a determination as to what portion of district water will be made available for surface delivery and what portion will be devoted to recharge of ground water, may establish limited areas of the district as the areas in which surface delivery of water service will be made available, the quantity which will be made available to each such surface water service area, and the terms upon which such water service will be made available, and may enter into long-term water service contracts with holders of title to land in such surface water service areas which contracts may provide that the obligations are a lien on the landowners' land in the nature of, and may be collected and enforced in the manner provided in this division for the collection and enforcement of, assessments. If such a contract does so provide, such lien shall have the same force, effect, and priority as an assessment lien as between the contracting landowner and the district, but unless such contract is recorded in the office of the county recorder in the county in which the land is situated, it shall have no force or effect whatever against any person other than a party to the contract unless such person has actual knowledge of the contract and its contents. Such contracts may be acknowledged or proved, certified and recorded in like manner and with like effect as grants of real property, and all statutory provisions relating to the recording or nonrecordation of conveyances of real property, and to the effect thereof, shall apply to such contracts with like effect. Such plan may further provide for allocation of water available to the district on a short-term basis without further notice and hearing. Such matters shall be determined and established in accordance with equitable criteria providing for the economical and efficient distribution and use of water within the district or available for use upon the lands within the district.

A plan adopted pursuant to the terms hereof may be changed, supplemented or amended in the same manner provided for the adoption of an original plan.

Before adoption of such a plan the board shall make, or cause to be made, a report setting forth the proposed plan.

Before adoption of such a plan the board shall pass a resolution declaring the following:
  (a) The intention of the board to adopt a plan for distribution and use of water within the district, briefly describing the same.
  (b) That a copy of the proposed plan is on file at the district office and is open for public inspection.
  (c) The time and place of hearing by the board in regard to the proposed plan.

Notice of such hearing shall be given by publishing a copy of the resolution of intention in a newspaper of general circulation published in Kern County, pursuant to Section 6066 of the Government Code, with the first publication to be at least 14 days prior to the time fixed for such hearing, and by mailing a copy of such resolution, postage prepaid, to each holder of title to land within the district at his address as shown upon the last equalized assessment roll of Kern County. Any error, omission or mistake in such mailing, or any failure of any person to receive such copy, shall not invalidate the proceedings pursuant to this chapter.

At the time and place so fixed, or at any time or place to which the hearing is continued, the board shall hold the hearing provided for by such resolution of intention at which hearing any person interested, including all persons owning land in the district, or improvement district therein, to which the hearing pertains, may appear and be heard concerning any matters set forth in the resolution or any matters material thereto. Upon the conclusion of the hearing the board shall by resolution determine, adopt and declare the plan of water allocation in accordance with the provisions of Section 35526 and the effective date of such plan, and shall cause a copy of such resolution to be published in the manner provided in Section 35530. No other notice shall be required.