The California EPA asserts an astonishingly broad right of access to private property!
California has informed landowners that they will now be charged for the water they draw from their own wells and use on their own property.
Hundreds of dollars in fees are looming, with 25% penalties for those who don’t pay on time.
California Globe has received a shocking letter that is being covertly handed to owners of private wells from a source close to San Diego.
“California is marching toward a world where those with wells on their own property will be required to put a meter on them and pay the government,” writes the source. “Because in their world, the government owns everything and we’re just renters.”
On behalf of Governor Newsom and Jared Blumenfeld, Secretary for Environmental Protection, the letter was sent in late July and is signed by Natalie Stork, the Chief of Groundwater Management Program Unit 1.
It is printed on the letterhead of the California Water Boards. A rather aggressive idea of government power and its dominance over private property is hidden beneath the bureaucratic acronyms GSA and SGMA (Groundwater Sustainability Agency and Sustainable Groundwater Management Act).
The letter reads, “Landowners whose property is within an unmanaged area and contains an operating ground water extraction well must report the volume of groundwater extracted from the well. The groundwater extraction volume must be reported as a monthly total. In addition to pumping volumes, reports must include the location of the well and the place and purpose of use of the groundwater. Groundwater extraction reports are not due to the state water board until February 1, 2023. However, if you are required to report, the report must include pumping volumes for each month between the date of receipt of this letter and September 30, 2022.”
“They’re sending out letters to property owners saying they must declare [if] they use just two acre feet, If they use more they must pay an annual fee of $300 for each well plus they must meter the water and send in a monthly usage report and pay a fee for water that is pumped starting in Feb 2023. What a great racket! The government provides no service, no support, no product, doesn’t even do the billing! That’s all on citizens. All [the government does] is cash the check,” said the source who received the letter.
Two recipients of the letter report that there hasn’t yet been any coordinated opposition to this private property grab. However, at least one source predicts that the minor fees will increase, which would undoubtedly spark opposition from locals.
“The fees may seem small today, but they always start small. Then they’ll ratchet up. Similarly, while this excludes light domestic users, it won’t for long,” the letter recipient said.
Sources: Dailywire, Rifnote, Investmentwatchblog