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<br />03131{ <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />of gnJund water that approaches the current recharge rate, excessive <br />decline In water levels, present or expected conflicts between users, <br />occurrence or probable occurrence of waste. The only requlr~'r.ent for <br />a designated area In either Hawaii or Nevada Is a finding that It Is <br />In need of administration under the statute. <br /> <br />Designation -- that Is, creation -- of a critical ground water <br />area Is a means to the end of preventing or correcting serious condi- <br />tions. It Is a step taken by the State administrative agency, not <br />arbitrarily, but sometimes on petition of affected ground water users <br />and In any event after giving objectors an opportunity to be heard. <br />Furthermore, aggrieved parties have the right of judicial review. 'In <br />the same manner in which It Is created, the boundaries of a designated <br />area may be altered; or the designation may De rescinded if and when <br />discontinuance pnJves justified. However, If development pressures <br />continue In the measure In which they have been exerted In many areas <br />In recent years, restrictive measures therein appear likely to continue <br />for a long time. <br /> <br />VI. Ground Water Requlatlon <br /> <br />Investigations <br /> <br />Huch Investigation precedes the determination of a body of ground <br />water and of the related surface area which Is the locus of most admin- <br />Istration of ground water controls. This Is necessarily so. With respect <br />to a natural resource that Is hidden from sight but is readily open to <br />scientific Inquiry, the necessity for searching Investigation before <br />imposing controls Is axiomatic. <br /> <br />Authorizations and directions to administrators to make Investi- <br />gations appear In many western ground water statutes. Some contain <br />general authorizations to make studies of ground water supplies of the <br />State, Of methods of gfound water conservation. Sometimes they speci- <br />fically authorize administrators to cooperate with Federal, State, and <br />other public agencies and with individuals. <br /> <br />A few examples of authorizations of investigations relating to <br />ground water basins or reservoirs are: Arizona, data on safe annual <br />yield and use made thereof; Colorado, effect of withdrawals on aquifer <br />supply and on surface flow of streams; Nevada, pumping tests to <br />determine whether overpumplng Is Indicated, specific yield, and perme- <br />ability characteristics; Utah, adequacy of the supply for existing <br />claims In a defined area. In Oregon the State Engineer is directed <br />to Investigate, id~ntlfy, and define tentatively the characteristics <br />of each ground water reservoir in the State; but before making a final <br />determination of boundaries and depth of any ground water reservoir, <br />he is to make a final determination of all ground water appropriative <br />rights therein. <br /> <br />- 9 - <br />