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CA Water Acquisition Handbook

The Trust for Public Land's Water Acquisition Handbook: How to Acquire Water for the Environment in California (written by Donald B. Mooney and Marsha A. Burch, with contributions from Elise Holland), is designed to assist those interested in using California's developing water market and water acquisition as a tool to improve environmental conditions for fish and wildlife, and water quality for human populations.

The handbook provides background on California Water Law and provide practical guidance on how to locate, acquire, transfer, and protect a water right for environmental purposes. It's designed to assist conservation organizations, and other interested parties, with the steps required to purchase water in California for the purpose of improving instream habitat.

The handbook also contains a number of appendixes that include background on California water law and water rights, contact information, and administrative forms to help readers develop and implement a successful water acquisition plan.

Reprint and Copyright Information

The Water Acquisition Handbook: How to Acquire Water for the Environment in California is copyright © 2003 by the Trust for Public Land. PDFs of the handbook (chapter-by-chapter) are available for download, free of charge.

The authors and publisher of this publication have used their best efforts in providing accurate, authoritative information in regard to the subject matter. The authors and publisher shall not be liable in the event of accidental or consequential damages in connection with, or arising from the contents of this publication. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of competent professionals should be sought.

Table of Contents

Download the Water Acquisition Handbook
Each chapter and accompanying maps is contained in a separate PDF.

California's Tuolumne River Photo by: Gail Slawson-Eich

Acknowledgments

The Trust for Public Land would like to express its appreciation to The Compton Foundation, Inc., which generously donated $50,000 toward the creation of the Water Acquisition Handbook. Without the support of The Compton Foundation, this project would not have been possible. Also, many thanks go to Jim Compton for his ongoing support of the Trust for Public Land.

The Trust for Public Land also would like to thank those who graciously gave of their time to review a draft of the Water Acquisition Handbook. Their legal and technical knowledge contributed greatly to the shaping of the final handbook. They include Professor Brian E. Gray, Esq., of Hastings Law School; Gregory Thomas, Esq., of the Natural Heritage Institute; Thomas Graff, Esq., and Dan Suyeyasu, Esq., of Environmental Defense; Andrew Purkey of the Oregon Water Trust; and Yolanka Wulff of the Washington Water Trust. Other thanks go to the Trust for Public Land staff who provided their invaluable insight, knowledge, and technical skills, including Clare Brandt, Nelson Mathews, and Mary Menees, and legal intern Ellen Fred.

Updated 3/2005