Wat. Code, § 12899.8

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, and except as otherwise provided in an agreement between the department and landowner or predecessor-in-interest, any person owning a legal real property interest over a portion of the State Water Resources Development System right-of-way, or who has an agreement with the department for the construction, operation, and maintenance of an encroachment, is not required to obtain a permit from the department for exercising their property or other rights, but shall submit their plans to the department for review and comment before undertaking any additional work within the department’s right-of-way. A person’s legal real property or other interests shall be determined by the department upon the review of the appropriate document, agreement, or reservation of rights. The department shall respond not later than 30 days from the date of the receipt of the plans.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, any holder of a current State Water Resources Development System encroachment permit on January 1, 2007, or a person who has an agreement with the department for the construction, operation, and maintenance of an encroachment as of that date, may continue the authorized encroachment pursuant to the terms, conditions, and limitations of that permit or agreement.