Laserfiche WebLink
<br />t {)044 <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />- 3 - <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />the federal al!.encies. In particular, the asserted existence of this right has <br />hampered the ability of th~, State and Federal governments to quantify federal <br />water rights and to negotiate agreements tn determine the procedures and <br />methods to' be used in quantifying ar.d adjudicating water r1ghts. The aSser- <br />tion of non-reserved right s has also created a new and unnecessary cloud of <br />ambiguity over private watet rights dependent on water sourc~s thllt are on, <br />under, over or appurtenant to federal lands. For these reasons, the comprehen- <br />sive review of "non-reserved" water rights was undertaken. <br /> <br />Ill. GENERAL AUTHORITY OF THE UNITED STATES TO APPROPRIAT~ WATER APPURTENANT <br />TO FJ:;iJJ:;KAL LANiJ <br /> <br />As a starting point for reviewing the legal basis for the existence of <br />"non-reserved" water rights, there are certain premises and conclusio,ns in <br />the Prior Opinion and Supplemental Opinion which are well settled. Specifi- <br />cally, the Prior Opinion reached the following conclusions regarding the United <br />States right to sppropriate unsppropriated water with which 1 fully agree and <br />therefore reaffirm: <br /> <br />1. The United States has the power to appropriate water pursuant <br />to sta te lalol on federally-owned land, regardless of whether such <br />land ib classified as a reservation, acquired land or public domain. <br />Congress also has retained the pnwer to implement the original objec- <br />tive of congressional acts.13/ <br /> <br />2. The priority of an appropriative water right obtained by the <br />United States, whether consumptive or non-conaumptive, IIl8Y not pre- <br />date actual use, and it may not adversely affect prior rights <br />established pursuant to state substantive and procedural law.~/ <br /> <br />3. Congress generally did not intend that the United Statea would <br />acquire water rights for the ultimate beneficiaries of the disposed <br />public lands or users of the non-renewable resources thereon (such aa <br />miners, homesteaders, or railroads) unless Congress specifically <br />directed the United States to reserve or otherWise acquire water for <br />such specific public use.15/ <br /> <br />4. The United States may apply to tbe states to secure appropriative <br />wster rights needed to meet the multiple-use management objectives <br />set forth by Congress in land management ,tstutes, .!.:J.., FJ.PHA, supra, <br />and tbe Taylor Grazing Act, supra. Ib 'In so doing, the United <br />States must comply with state substantive and procedural lavs.Q/ <br /> <br />11/ 811 1.1). at 57!,. 613. <br />14/ 86 1.0. at 574. <br />15/ 811 I.D. at b12. <br />Ib/ lib 1.0. at 615. <br />Q/ Supplemental Opinion. <br />