ARTICLE 9. Hearing and Decree of Court [2750. - 2774.]

Cal. Water Code - WAT 9.
in effect

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 2750. Section 2750.

As soon as practicable after adoption of the order of determination, issuance of an order on reconsideration, or issuance of an order denying reconsideration, whichever is later, a certified copy of the order, together with the original evidence and transcript of testimony filed with or taken before the board and certified by it, shall be filed with the clerk of the superior court of the county in which the stream system, or some part thereof, is situated.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 2751. Section 2751.

Upon the filing of the certified copy of the order of determination and the evidence and transcript, the board shall procure an order from the court setting a time for hearing.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 2752. Section 2752.

The clerk of the court shall immediately furnish the board with a certified copy of the order setting the time for hearing.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 2753. Section 2753.

Upon receiving the certified copy of the order setting the time for hearing, the board shall immediately mail a copy of the order by registered mail to each known party in interest at his last known place of residence.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 2754. Section 2754.

The board shall cause the order to be published at least once a week for four consecutive weeks in some newspaper of general circulation published in each county in which the stream system or any part thereof is situated.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 2756. Section 2756.

Service by registered mail and by publication shall be deemed full and sufficient notice to all parties in interest of the date and purpose of the hearing.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 2757. Section 2757.

At least 10 days prior to the day set for hearing, each party in interest who is aggrieved or dissatisfied with the order of determination may file with the clerk of the court notice of exceptions to the order of determination.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 2758. Section 2758.

The notice of exceptions shall state briefly the exceptions taken, the reasons therefor, and the prayer for relief.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 2759. Section 2759.

A copy of each notice of exception shall be sent by registered mail at least 10 days prior to the hearing to the board and to each person who was an adverse party to any issue raised by the exception at a hearing of the board.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 2760. Section 2760.

The order of determination, the statements or claims of claimants, and the exceptions made to the order of determination constitute the pleadings.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 2761. Section 2761.

The court may allow such additional or amended pleadings as may be necessary to a final determination of the proceeding.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 2762. Section 2762.

If no exceptions are filed, then on the day set for the hearing, on motion of the board, the court shall enter a decree affirming the order of determination.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 2763. Section 2763.

On the day set for hearing all parties in interest who have filed notices of exceptions shall appear in person, or by counsel, and the court shall hear the matter or set the time for hearing, and shall continue the hearing until all exceptions are disposed of.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 2763.5. Section 2763.5.

(a) No exception to the order of determination shall be considered, except in the court’s discretion for good cause shown, unless the matter of the exception was presented to the board in the form of an objection. Good cause includes, but is not limited to, the existence of newly discovered relevant evidence which, in the exercise of reasonable diligence, could not have been presented to the board during the board’s proceedings. (b) This section does not apply to persons to whom the board did not mail either (1) written notice of the board meeting at which the petition pursuant to Section 2525 is to be considered as an item of business, or (2) written notice of the pendency of the proceedings pursuant to Section 2526.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 2764. Section 2764.

All proceedings on the hearing shall be as nearly as may be in accordance with the rules governing civil actions.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 2765. Section 2765.

Whenever in the judgment of the court the State is a necessary party to the action, the court shall make an order to that effect and thereupon a copy of all pleadings and proceedings on file with the court in the action shall be served upon the Attorney General who shall represent the State therein.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 2766. Section 2766.

For further information on any subject in controversy the court may employ one or more qualified persons to investigate and report thereon under oath, subject to examination by any party in interest as to his competency to give expert testimony on the subject.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 2767. Section 2767.

The court may take additional evidence on any issue and may, if necessary, refer the case for such further evidence to be taken by the board as the court may direct, and may require a further determination by the board.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 2768. Section 2768.

After the hearing, the court shall enter a decree determining the right of all persons involved in the proceeding.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 2769. Section 2769.

The decree shall in every case declare as to the water right adjudged to each party, the priority, amount, season of use, purpose of use, point of diversion, and place of use of the water; and as to water used for irrigation, the decree shall also declare the specific tracts of land to which it is appurtenant, together with such other factors as may be necessary to define the right.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 2771. Section 2771.

Appeals from the decree may be taken by the board or any party in interest, in the same manner and with the same effect as in civil cases.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 2772. Section 2772.

A certified copy of the decree shall be prepared by the clerk of the court, without charge, and filed for record in the office of the county recorder of each county in which any part of the stream system is situated and also in the office of the board.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 2773. Section 2773.

The decree is conclusive as to the rights of all existing claimants upon the stream system lawfully embraced in the determination.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 2774. Section 2774.

When a decree has been entered, any claimant who has failed to appear and submit proof of his claim as provided in this chapter shall be barred and estopped from subsequently asserting any rights theretofore acquired upon the stream system embraced in the proceedings, and shall be held to have forfeited all rights to water theretofore claimed by him on the stream system, other than as provided in the decree, unless entitled to relief under the laws of this State.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026

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