California Code, Water Code - WAT § 380

(a) The various regions of the state differ widely in the availability of water supplies and in the need for water to meet beneficial uses.

(b) Decisions regarding operations to meet water needs can depend in part upon regional differences.

(c) Many water management decisions can best be made at a local or regional level, to the end that local and regional operational flexibility will maximize efficient statewide use of water supplies.

(d) The authority granted by this chapter to local and regional public agencies, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 65930 of the Government Code and not including federal agencies, is in furtherance of the policy declared in Section 2 of Article X of the California Constitution and in Section 109.