Place and Purpose of Use, Extension of Time, and Instream Dedication Project

The Redway Community Services District is seeking regulatory approval from the State Water Resources Control Board to amend its existing water rights related to diversions from the South Fork of the Eel River and an unnamed spring tributary. The primary objectives include expanding the Place and Purpose of Use to encompass all properties within the District’s jurisdictional boundaries under its existing licenses and permits, ensuring consistent and comprehensive coverage of its service area, which has included the Meadows Business Park since 1998. The District is also requesting an extension of time for its permit associated with the South Fork Eel River diversion to officially recognize the maximum beneficial use established since 2011, thereby securing sufficient water allocation to meet current and future service demands once licensing is finalized. Additionally, the District is pursuing licensing of its third water right, derived from an unnamed spring that has not been diverted from since 2008, with the ultimate intent to permanently dedicate the full allocated diversion amount for instream use to support recreational, fish, and wildlife preservation and enhancement purposes under California Water Code §1707. The project aligns with state water laws, including the Porter-Cologne Act and Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, and requires compliance with water quality standards and reporting obligations such as installation of diversion measurement devices and adherence to conservation measures. All requests are submitted through formal petitions to the State Water Board and are supported by historical records, diversion data, and environmental assessments conducted under the California Environmental Quality Act, which evaluated potential impacts across categories such as hydrology, air quality, and land use. The District, acting as applicant and permittee, is responsible for maintaining compliance with regulatory conditions and is not bound by federal contract provisions, as this is a state-level water rights administrative process governed by California statutes. Submissions for public comment are accepted through the District’s office, email, and the CEQAnet portal, with a deadline for feedback set for December 12, 2025, and final decisions resting with the State Water Resources Control Board and the State Engineer.