Sheep Creek Water Company shareholders, this news is definitely something to keep an eye on.  California is making a move to go after pre-1913 water rights and bring them under legislative control.  A former state water official had this to say:

“There is no good reason to have continued priority for stuff that was just claimed over 100 years ago, not when we face all these issues of scarcity,” Gomberg said. “Everyone who is not one of those water rights holders would benefit from a change in the system.”

He said he’d like to see the existing water rights system scrapped and replaced with a new framework that prioritizes the needs of communities, the environment and “basic food security.” He suggested that a ballot measure would be one way to remake the system.’

The reality is that this is the system California is moving towards: state control of the water, with water rights eventually no longer being part of the discussion. This is a vital issue for Sheep Creek Water Company shareholders, since a large part of the water we use comes from old water rights in the canyon below Wrightwood. Definitely something to be aware of…

https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2023-09-09/water-rights-legislation

Lawmakers approve plan to strengthen oversight of California water rights

The legislation expressly authorizes the State Water Resources Control Board to investigate all water rights claims — including riparian rights and pre-1914 rights — and to determine whether the rights are valid.

“It’s about giving the water board the tools that it needs to do its work,” said Sen. Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica), who introduced the bill.

Allen pointed out that California’s existing water rights allocate far more water than is available in an average year, and said the State Water Board is tasked with making the system function at a time when climate change is putting growing strains on water supplies.

He said the agency needs to have this oversight authority to “make sure the system is working and that we actually have enough water for everybody.”

“This is essential to their ability to ensure that we have a sustainable water system in our state,” Allen said.

The legislation says state water regulators may investigate claims of pre-1914 or riparian water rights, issue an order for information, and, after a hearing, curb any unauthorized water use.

If an investigation reveals that a water supplier has been taking more water than it is entitled to, the State Water Board can use its enforcement powers to make that stop.