State Water Board adopts order for Marble Mountain Ranch; requires diversion controls and compliance plan

The State Water Resources Control Board on Feb. 4 adopted a proposed order in an enforcement proceeding against Marble Mountain Ranch, directing the ranch to install diversion control(s), limit diversions to amounts reasonably needed for beneficial use, and submit a compliance plan for review by the Division of Water Rights.

The order, prepared by the Administrative Hearings Office, responds to allegations that long‑standing methods of diversion and hydropower operations at the ranch were contributing to dewatering and water‑quality problems in Stanshaw Creek, a tributary to the Klamath River that provides seasonal cold‑water refuge for coho salmon. "I'm Sam Bivens with the Administrative Hearings Office," the hearing officer said while presenting the proposed order to the board.

Board members adopted the proposed order with a change sheet (Change Sheet No. 1). The board recorded a roll‑call vote and the order passed unanimously: Maguire — Aye; Firestone — Aye; Morgan — Aye; Vice Chair D'Adamo — Aye; Chair Joaquin Esquivel — Aye. The adopted order does not quantify a…