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Water Rights in Wyoming

Water Rights in Wyoming. An overview of the basic principles for using and protection water rights in Wyoming. Harriet Hageman & Kara Brighton Hageman & Brighton, P.C. Attorneys at Law 222 E. 21 st Street Cheyenne, Wyoming 82001 (307) 635-4888. Introduction. Hageman and Brighton, P.C.

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Water Rights in Wyoming

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  1. Water Rights in Wyoming An overview of the basic principles for using and protection water rights in Wyoming. Harriet Hageman & Kara Brighton Hageman & Brighton, P.C. Attorneys at Law 222 E. 21st Street Cheyenne, Wyoming 82001 (307) 635-4888

  2. Introduction • Hageman and Brighton, P.C. • Areas of Practice: Water and Natural Resources • Nebraska v. Wyoming • “Roadless Litigation” • USFWS Wolf Management and Recovery / Predator Control • Protection of Private Property • Defense of Wyoming’s “open range” law • Protection of grazing rights on BLM and private property • Protection of water rights • Irrigation Districts

  3. Today’s Presentation • Water Rights Framework • State Engineer’s Office/Board of Control • Types of Water Rights • Abandonment • Surface Water Issues • Ground Water Issues • Interference • Control Areas • Instream Flow Statute

  4. Constitutional Foundation for Wyoming Water Rights • Wyo. Const. Article 1, § 31 • Water being essential to industrial prosperity, of limited amount, and ease of diversion from its natural channels, its control must be in the state, which, in providing for its use, shall equally guard all of the various interests involved. • Wyo. Const. Article 8, § 1 • Stream, springs, lakes or other collections of still water within the boundaries of the state are the property of the State of Wyoming

  5. Constitutional Foundation for Wyoming Water Rights: Prior Appropriation • Wyo. Const. Article 8, § 3 • Priority of appropriation for beneficial uses shall give the better right. • First in time, First in Right • Wyo. Const. Article 8, § 2 • Board of Control, composed of the State Engineer and superintendents of the four water divisions are tasked with “supervision of the waters of the state and of their appropriation, distribution and diversion…

  6. State Engineer’s Office (SEO) • Mission: • The mission of the SEO and Board of Control (BOC) is to provide for the general supervision and protection of both inter- and intra-state waters of this state. Includes the appropriation, distribution and application and application to beneficial use of water as provided under the prior appropriation doctrine, and to maintain the flexibility within that framework to meet the changing needs of the citizens of Wyoming. The SEO collects, analyzes, maintains and provides water related information for ensuring the appropriate management and regulation of Wyoming’s water resources. • Core Business Functions: • Permitting and Adjudication of Water Rights • Administration and Regulation • Administration of Interstate Compacts and Decrees • Website: www.seo.state.wy.us/index.aspx

  7. State Engineer’s Office (SEO) • SEO Divisions and Contact Information • Administration • Patrick T. Tyrell, State Engineer • 307.777.6150 • Board of Control • Allan Cunningham, BOC Control Administrator • 307.777.6178 • Surface Water • John Barnes, Surface Water Administrator • 307.777.6475 • Ground Water • Lisa Lindemann, Ground Water Administrator • 307.777.6163 • Superintendent – Division • Randy Tullis, Superintendent • 307.532.2248

  8. Board of Control (BOC) • Board of Control – W.S. § 41-4-201 • Jurisdictional Examples: • Exclusive original jurisdiction • Abandonment • Change in Use • Adjudicated water rights (permitted go to State Engineer) • Change in point of diversion • Reinstatements, etc.

  9. Board of Control (BOC) • Board of Control – W.S. § 41-4-201 • Ability to deliver and protect water is dependent on recorded water right

  10. Board of Control (BOC) • Board of Control – W.S. § 41-4-201 • State Engineer and 4 Superintendents; • Fully staffed office in Cheyenne; • Quarterly Meetings • Special Meeting can be called – cots to party requesting • Statues require BOC to maintain water right records – open to public

  11. Wyoming Statutes • Beneficial Use (Wyo. Stat. § 41-3-101) • Beneficial Use is the ultimate foundation of every water right. • A water right is a right to use the water of the state, when such use has been acquired by the beneficial application of water under the laws of the state relating thereto, and in conformity with the rules and regulations dependent thereon. • Beneficial use shall be the basis, the measure and limit of the right to use water at all times, not exceeding the statutory limit except as provided by W.S. § 41-3-317 (Board of Control Statute).

  12. Types of Water Rights • Surface Water Rights • Direct Flow • Reservoir • Surplus and Excess • Ground Water Rights • Specific - Interference

  13. Surface Water Rights • Surface Water • Original Surface Water Right • Supplemental Surface Water Right (W.S. § 41-3-113) • New source of supply for lands for which an appropriation of water from a primary source already exists. • Total amount diverted under primary and supplemental right shall not be in excess of 1/70, unless surplus statutes are involved. • Reservoirs (Art. 3, Chpt. 3) • Secondary permits are necessary to protect use of stored water for irrigation on certain lands • Safety of dam inspections • Failure to comply shall subject permit to cancellation at any time

  14. Surplus and Excess Water: Specifics • Surplus Water – W.S. § 41-4-318 (March 1, 1945) • Excess Water - W.S. § 41-4-329

  15. Ground Water Rights • Ground Water • Original Ground Water Right • Additional Ground Water Right • Interference

  16. Ground Water: Specifics • Interference – W.S. § 41-3-911 • Available to surface and ground water users; • Must file written complaint alleging interference by junior user with SEO and pay $100; • SEO will investigate and issue a report stating findings; • Administrative Procedures Act Remedies are available.

  17. Permitting and Adjudication • Surface Water • Application (Surface Water Forms) • Ditches or canals • Enlargements • Reservoirs • Stock Reservoirs • Appropriator Forms • Completion of Construction • Notice of Beneficial Use • Proof • Field Inspection • Advertising • Board of Control Order • Certificate of Construction • Certificate Record Books • Tab Book Updated

  18. Permitting and Adjudication • Ground Water • Application (Ground Water Form UW5) • Appropriator Forms • Statement of Completion – UW6 • Notice of Completion of Beneficial Use – UW8, Part I • Proof • Field Inspection – UW8, Part III • Advertising • Board of Control Order • Certificate of Appropriation • Tab Book Updated

  19. Abandonment of Water Rights • Abandonment of Water Rights – W.S. § 41-3-401 • Definition: Water user fails to intentionally or unintentionally to beneficially use water right, whether adjudicated or unadjudicated for five (5) successive years. • Excuse exists if: • Facilities to divert exist in usable form; and • Not a sufficient supply of water available • BOC has exclusive original jurisdiction over abandonments

  20. Abandonment of Water Rights • BOC Abandonment Procedures: • The BOC may grant an extension for non-use (water user must show reasonable cause and due diligence); • Once the complaint is received, the issue is referred to the appropriate superintendent for hearing; • Superintendent takes information back to BOC for vote.

  21. Abandonment of Water Rights • Standing • An individual petitioning for the BOC for abandonment of a water right must have standing. • The Petitioner must meet the following requirements: • Possess a valid water right of equal or junior status; • Water right must be in the same source of supply; • Petitioner must benefit from a declaration of the abandonment or sustain injury by reactivation of contested water right. • Improvement of priority alone is not enough to show benefit.

  22. Abandonment of Water Rights • Forfeiture of Water Rights – W.S. § 41-3-402 • The State Engineer can initiate abandonment • Not the policy of the State Engineer, but has happened on at least one occasion (NP Basin) • State Engineer’s Abandonment Process: • BOC Secretary refer to superintendent where forfeiture is alleged; • Superintendent sends notice of hearing, via certified mail to all owners of lands covered by the appropriations; • State Engineer can not vote at BOC hearing; • The BOC votes using secret ballots (3 affirmative votes are needed); • BOC sends certified copy of declaration within 60 days; have 30 days to appeal to District Court

  23. Control Areas • Control Areas • Definition and Formation • Regulation

  24. Control Areas • Control Areas - W.S. § 41-3-912 • BOC can declare a control area for the following reasons: • Use of groundwater is approaching a use equal to current recharge rates; • Groundwater levels are declining or have declined excessively; • Conflicts between users are occurring or are foreseeable; • Waste of water is occurring or may occur; • Other conditions exist or may arise that require regulation for protection of the public inters

  25. Control Areas • Control Areas - W.S. § 41-3-912 • BOC defines the control area geographically and stratigraphically; • BOC may designate 5 board member districts for purposed of election of control area advisory board • Superintendent shall proceed with adjudication • Failure to comply may result in tagged or locked pump • Permit process changes

  26. Instream Flow • Instream Flow Statutes • Title 41, Article 10, Chapter 3 • General Information • Studies • Recent Developments

  27. Instream Flows • Instream Flow Statute • Defined as beneficial use • Unappropriated water may be appropriated for instream flows • Water used shall be minimum flow necessary to establish or maintain fishery • Specifically define stream segment and amount • State of Wyoming owns the instream flow right • Limitation on application locations • Feasibility study – WWDC to Game and Fish

  28. Instream Flows • Instream Flow – General Information • Statutes passed in 1986; • Approximately 90 applications; • 17 or those have been adjudicated • Game and Fish has never placed a call for regulation

  29. Questions • Harriet M. Hageman & Kara Brighton Hageman & Brighton, P.C. www.hblawoffice.com

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