Article 4. Collection of California Water Code >> Division 21. >> Part 9. >> Chapter 3. >> Article 4.

The district, after the levying of the ground water charge, shall give notice thereof to each operator of each water-producing facility in the zone or zones as disclosed by the records of the district, which notice shall state the rate for each class of water of the ground water charge for each acre-foot of water to be produced during the ensuing water year. The notice may be sent by postal card or by other first-class mail and with postage prepaid by the district.

After the establishment of a ground water charge, each operator of a water-producing facility within the affected zone or zones of the district, until such time as such water-producing facility has been permanently abandoned, shall file with the district, on or before the 31st day of January and on or before the 31st day of July in each year, a statement setting forth the total production in acre-feet of water for the preceding six-month period (excluding the month in which the statement is due), a general description or number locating each water-producing facility, and the method or basis of the computation, of such water production.

If no water has been produced from a water-producing facility during the preceding six-month period, a statement shall be filed with the district, setting forth that no water has been produced during such period. Such statement shall be verified by a written declaration that it is made under the penalties of perjury.

The ground water charge is payable to the district on or before the last date upon which the water production statement is required to be filed and is computed by multiplying the production in acre-feet of water for each classification as disclosed in the statement by the ground water charge for each classification of water.

Whenever any water-producing facility in an affected zone is permanently abandoned, the operator thereof shall give written notice of such abandonment to the district.

If any operator of a water-producing facility fails to pay the ground water charge when due, the district shall charge interest at the rate of one percent (1%) each month on the delinquent amount of the ground water charge.

If any operator of a water-producing facility fails to register the water-producing facility, or fails to file the water production statements as required by this article, the district shall, in addition to charging interest as provided in Section 75615, assess a penalty charge against such operator in an amount of 10 percent of the amount found by the district to be due.

The board may, at the time of fixing the ground water charge, establish a method or methods to be used in computing the amount of water produced from a water-producing facility which is not measured by a measuring device. Such methods may be based upon any or all or a combination of the following criteria:
  (a) The size of water-producing facility discharge opening.
  (b) The area served by the water-producing facility.
  (c) The number of persons served by the water-producing facility.
  (d) The use of land served by the water-producing facility.
  (e) The crops grown on land served by the water-producing facility.
  (f) Any other criteria which may be used to determine with reasonable accuracy the amount of water produced from a water-producing facility.

Upon good cause shown, an amended statement of water production may be filed or a correction of the records may be made at any time prior to the final date for filing the next semiannual water production statement.

If the district has probable cause to believe that the production of water from any water-producing facility is in excess of that disclosed by the sworn statements covering such water-producing facility, or if no statements are filed covering any water-producing facility, the district may cause an investigation and report to be made concerning the production of water from such water-producing facility. The district may fix the amount of water production from such water-producing facility at an amount not to exceed the maximum production capacity of such water-producing facility; provided, however, that where a water-measuring device is permanently attached thereto, the record of production, as disclosed by such water-measuring device, shall be presumed to be accurate and the burden is upon the district to establish to the contrary.

After the determination has been made by the district pursuant to Section 75619, a written notice thereof shall be mailed to the person operating the water-producing facility at his address as shown by the district's records.

A determination made by the district pursuant to Section 75619 shall be conclusive on all persons having an interest in the water-producing facility involved, and the ground water charge, and the interest and penalties thereon, shall be paid forthwith, unless any such person files with the board, within 10 days after the mailing of the notice of the determination, a written protest setting forth the ground or grounds for protesting the amount of production so fixed.

Upon the filing of a protest, the board shall hold a hearing, at which time the total amount of the water production and the ground water charge thereon shall be determined. Such determination shall be conclusive if based upon substantial evidence.

A notice of the hearing shall be mailed to the protestant at least 10 days before the date fixed for the hearing. Notice of the determination by the board at the hearing shall be mailed to each protestant, who shall have 10 days from the date of mailing to pay the ground water charge, and the interest and penalties thereon.

Notice as required in Sections 75620 and 75623 shall be given by deposit thereof in any postal facility regularly maintained by the government of the United States in a sealed envelope with postage paid, addressed to the person on whom it is served at his name and address as disclosed by the records of the district. The service is complete at the time of deposit.