What is the role of water law in climate change adaptation?

Water law plays an important role in climate change adaptation. Climate change is expected to have profound implications for the availability and management of water resources. Water law governs the rights and obligations of users of water resources, including governments, businesses, and citizens. These laws provide a framework for sustainable water management, including the allocation of water resources between different users, the treatment of excess and unused water, and the resolution of disputes over water resources. In California, water law helps ensure that water use is regulated and managed with an eye toward climate change adaptation. For example, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act of 2014 establishes regulations for groundwater and sets limits on over-pumping and other forms of water use. This law helps to ensure that groundwater resources are managed sustainably and are available to support climate change adaptation efforts. The California Water Rights Act of 1914 also plays an important role in climate change adaptation. This law provides a framework for the management of surface water resources, such as rivers and streams, lakes, and reservoirs. The law also sets out the rights and obligations of users of surface water, including the protection of water quality and prevention of over-allocation of resources. By providing a legal framework for the sustainable management of water resources, water laws help to ensure that California’s water resources are available to support climate change adaptation. Water laws also help to ensure that water is used responsibly and sustainably, helping to protect vulnerable water resources from the impacts of climate change.

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