File Your Water Use Report?

The State Water Resources Control Board is now assessing late fees for water rightsholders who missed the February 1 deadline to file their 2023-24 Water Use Reports. These fees, which are new this year, will be included in the annual water rights fee billing sent out this fall.

If you still need to file your report, don’t delay—filing now can help avoid steeper penalties in the coming months starting with the next elevation on April 1.

If you haven’t filed, you are not alone. As of February 27, 38% of reports remained past due. The charges are based on the size of a rightsholder’s water right and how late the report is filed. Fees will be calculated as a percentage of the base water rights fee, following the State Water Board’s fee schedule.

For ranchers needing help, the Rancher Technical Assistance Program, or RTAP, offers free support. You can reach RTAP by phone at (916) 406-6902, by email at rtap@wrstrat.com, or online at calcattlemenfoundation.org/rtap.

Thank you to the California Cattlemen’s Association for sharing the information and their continued diligence in drawing attention to the requirement.