[WaterForFightingCAInitiative]

The California Watershed Posse, a California Coordinated Resource Management and Planning Council, announces its breakout of their "Water For Fighting," a Proposed California Ballot Initiative meant to reset the economy of California much as Proposition 13 did in the 1970s.

Please visit www.waterforfighting.org or www.cwposse.org and click on the Water For Fighting tab to examine links and sign the virtual petition.

[Monorprise]

Nice bill

[Carry_Okie]

Wet dream.

[marsh2]

The “People” of the state of California only have a right to use water that is surplus to that appropriated prior to 1914. Water use rights prior to 1914 are privately owned property and cannot be taken without just compensation. Appropriative water use after 1914 is “permitted” by the state and is revocable. Public trust rights apply to these “permitted” rights. Riparian rights are attached to the land, but can be dormant and of a lower relative priority if not developed.

The right to develop minerals and to use and dispose of most natural resources is an incident of private property ownership by individuals. The “people” do not have a “right” to use them - just the owners, unless it is taken for a legitimate public purpose and just compensation is paid. Privately ownership includes the use, enjoyment and disposal of property. Traditionally, regulation is supposed to only be to protect the general public health, safety and morals from substantial injury.

People have to be careful how they word their initiative. This one has problems. Also, it is the initiative process itself that has helped create the budget crisis by committing the state to water and other bonds.