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In January, the Newsom administration also filed separate petitions seeking to extend the time of the water rights permits to 2085.

Those who receive the transfers tend to claim them as their right, never mind regulations and senior water rights held by others.

Mitchell said agencies in Colorado are developing such projects with the understanding that their water rights will likely be curtailed in many years because of limited supplies.

Municipalities often resort to purchasing many more permanent water rights than needed to meet average demand and ensure reliable supply even under the driest conditions.

Other scenarios simulate idling irrigated farmland, reducing pumping in areas where groundwater levels are forecast to decrease the most, setting limits on how much groundwater can be pumped and curtailing junior water rights.