Court ruling is a potential blow to state water-saving efforts

MORE PHOTOS: See photos of the historic drought in California.

Above: Houseboats are dwarfed by the steep banks of Lake McClure on March 24, 2015 in Snelling, California. More than 3,000 residents in the Sierra Nevada foothill community of Lake Don Pedro who rely on water from Lake McCLure could run out of water in the near future if the severe drought continues. Lake McClure is currently at 7 percent of its normal capacity and residents are under mandatory 50 percent water use restrictions. less MORE PHOTOS: See photos of the historic drought in California.

Above: Houseboats are dwarfed by the steep banks of Lake McClure on March 24, 2015 in Snelling, California. More than 3,000 residents in the Sierra ... more Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images Image 1 of / 73 Caption Close Court ruling is a potential blow to state water-saving efforts 1 / 73 Back to Gallery

A Sacramento judge on Friday blocked the state from enforcing the rigid water restrictions it imposed on a handful of Central Valley water agencies, a potential blow to California’s broader push for conservation.

Superior Court Judge Shelleyanne Chang ruled that notices sent by the state, directing water agencies to stop pumping from rivers and creeks, violate the water agencies’ due process rights. The court issued a temporary restraining order barring the state from enforcing the directives until further proceedings.

While the action affects only a few dozen farmers — those served by four delta water agencies suing the state — several other water agencies are taking up the same legal fight.

“This seems to subtly change the relationship between the regulated and the regulator,” said attorney Steve Herum, who represents the West Side Irrigation District in Tracy, one of the agencies affected by Friday’s decision. “The court has said that state regulators can’t threaten to take property rights in the manner that the state has attempted to do. … It’s really a win for all property interests in California.”

The dispute comes as the State Water Resources Control Board notifies hundreds of water rights holders across California that they need to halt diversions from rivers and creeks or face potential fines.

Amid a fourth year of drought, state officials say there’s insufficient water to meet all of California’s needs and are seeking to curtail users in order of seniority.

Chang didn’t comment on the need for water restrictions Friday, ruling only that the state’s “curtailment” letters violate the constitutional rights of water rights holders by not giving them opportunity to contest state demands.

Herum, like representatives of other water agencies pursuing similar cases, argued that the state hasn’t adequately demonstrated the need to restrict water from farms.

State officials dismissed the ruling as inconsequential.

Water board attorney David Rose said the curtailment letters may be problematic and need revision. But he said Chang’s finding doesn’t change the fundamental fact that the board can — and will — crack down on those who take water illegally.

In addition to the West Side Irrigation District, the litigants are the Central Delta Water Agency, South Delta Water Agency and Woods Irrigation Co.

The case is scheduled to return to Sacramento County Superior Court on July 30.

Kurtis Alexander is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: kalexander@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kurtisalexander