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<br />supervisory control over measurement, record-keeping, and regulating the distribu- <br /> <br />lion of the public waters of the state. The state engineer appoints a division <br /> <br />engineer- for each division. The actual administration and distribution of water is <br /> <br />conducted through the division engineers' offices, <br /> <br />Each division engineer has assistants and each division is further divided into <br /> <br />district field offices, headed by water commissioners who are members of the <br /> <br />division engineer's staff. <br />A private water engineerl must determine the facts and be prepared to testify <br /> <br />as an expert witness in water matters. The water engineer must also assist an <br /> <br />appropriator's- attorney in order to present a case favorable to the client. <br /> <br />Administration, distribution, and regulation of the use of both surface and <br /> <br />underground water is accomplished through the promulgation of rules and <br /> <br />regulations, and through issuing orders to individual owners and users of water rights. <br />Those holding junior rights wishing to divert- out of priority- from surface streams <br /> <br />or groundwater aquifers must seek approval from the water court for a plan for <br /> <br />augmentation-. Such a plan will require the junior diverter to come forward with <br /> <br />reliable sources of replacement water to protect the senior rights from depletions to <br /> <br />the stream, <br /> <br />3. Administration of Wells <br /> <br /> <br />The state engineer is charged with the initial authority to grant or deny well <br /> <br />permits. Such a permit is essential to construct a well for the appropriation of <br /> <br />groundwater. Water withdrawn from gravel pits is also treated as a well. Denials <br /> <br />may be challenged in water court, and whatever the court determines prevails. Wells <br /> <br />in designated areas are treated differently and are administered by the Groundwater <br />Management District where the wells are located, <br /> <br />1 A private engineer usually works the same way as an attorney to represent the client <br />in court. <br /> <br />10 <br />