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<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />" <br /> <br />basic principles of the appropriations doctrine as they relate <br /> <br />to water conservation activities. Further, a brief overview of <br /> <br />two recent cases is presented which involves the interstate allocation <br /> <br />of waters and the public trust doctrine. Both issues have important <br /> <br /> <br />potential ramifications with respect to future water use and water <br /> <br />conservation. <br /> <br />Appropriations Doctrine <br /> <br />Water conservation has always been a fundamental aspect of <br /> <br />western water resource management and law. The doctrine of prior <br /> <br />appropriation developed among early western water users, primarily <br /> <br />farming and mining interests. Generally, western states rejected <br /> <br />the riparian rights doctrine as an unsuitable basis for determining <br /> <br />water use in the arid West. In essence, the Appropriations Doctrine <br /> <br />consists of a few simple principles. <br /> <br />First, a right to water use generally is obtained by diverting <br /> <br />water from its natural course and putting it to "beneficial use." <br /> <br />The diversion requirement has been modified by many states, and <br />specific appropriations procedures have been outlined. Reasonable <br /> <br />and beneficial use is the basis, measure, and limit of an appro- <br /> <br />priators's right. Generally, beneficial use has been defined <br />by listing allowable uses. Efficiency criteria are not usually <br />expressly defined. Rather, traditional norms affected what is <br /> <br />viewed as reasonable. However, allowable withdrawals may be set <br /> <br />, <br />I <br />."\<."c- <br />0_' I <br />