Article 2. Hearing of California Water Code >> Division 21. >> Part 9. >> Chapter 3. >> Article 2.

On or before the day of the regular meeting of the board in March of each year, the engineering investigation and report shall be delivered to the secretary in writing.

The secretary shall publish a notice of the receipt of the engineering investigation and report and of a public hearing thereon to be held in April. The notice shall be published, pursuant to Section 6061 of the Government Code, in a newspaper of general circulation printed and published within the district, at least 10 days prior to the date at which the public hearing is held.

The notice, among other information which the district may provide therein, shall contain an invitation to all operators of water-producing facilities within the district to call at the office of the district to examine the engineering investigation and report.

The board shall hold a public hearing in April of each year, in the regular meeting place of the board, not sooner than 30 days after receipt of the engineering investigation and report. Any operator of a water-producing facility within the district, or any person interested in the condition of the groundwater or surface water supplies of the district, may in person, or by representative, appear and submit evidence at the public hearing concerning the groundwater conditions and the surface water supplies of the district. Appearances also may be made supporting or protesting the engineering investigation and report.

The board shall, before the levy of the ground water charge, find and determine all of the following:
  (a) The average annual overdraft for the immediate past 10 water years.
  (b) The estimated annual overdraft for the current water year.
  (c) The estimated annual overdraft for the ensuing water year.
  (d) The accumulated overdraft as of the last day of the preceding water year.
  (e) The estimated accumulated overdraft as of the last day of the current water year.
  (f) The estimated amount of agricultural water to be withdrawn from the ground water supplies of the district for the ensuing water year.
  (g) The amount of water other than agricultural water to be drawn from the ground water supplies of the district for the ensuing water year.
  (h) The estimated amount of water necessary for surface distribution for the ensuing water year.
  (i) The amount of water which is necessary for the replenishment of the ground water supplies of the district.
  (j) The amount of water the district is obligated by contract to purchase.

The findings and determinations by the board are conclusive and binding upon all persons and parties.