BENEFICIAL USE Declarations & Apportionment

Water Rights Addenda Passed in 2010; effective Applies to deeds that – Convey fee simple title to land – Convey title to water rights without conveying title to land. The addendum – Identifies & describes water rights transferred OR – States no water rights were transferred Both seller & buyer must sign

Water Rights Addenda Forms available on Division website will be forwarded by county recorders to the Division after July 1, An addendum will serve as a ROC for the specified water right. If the grantor is the listed owner of record, the Division will update ownership from the addendum. Notice will be provided to grantee when an ownership update has been completed.

Water Rights Addenda WATER DEED LAND DEED

Declarations & Apportionment Summary Review – Definitions – When is a Declaration necessary? – Exceptions The Declaration process The Apportionment process

WATER USE GROUP No (62.64 ac irrigation) WATER USE GROUP No (47.06 ac irrigation) Beneficial Use Amount the amount of beneficial use a water right contributes to a water use group Sole Supply the amount of beneficial use allowed under a right on its own; the sum of its beneficial use amounts Beneficial Use Supplemental Water Rights DEFINITIONS

When is a Declaration Required?

General Guidelines Whenever an administrative action requires a definition of a supplemental water right in a water use group that isn’t defined (change application or segregation) Whenever someone is attempting to define a supplemental water right in a water use group that isn’t defined (proof or ownership).

Exceptions Declarations not required for water use groups created for public water suppliers that group rights within a geographic area rather than describe extent of beneficial use. Declarations may be waived for temporary changes

The Declaration Process

APPLICATIONS & FORMS PAGE DECLARATION OF BENEFICIAL USE FORM

Declaration Review Who Can Sign – The water right holder shown on the SE records – Ownership must be updated before a water user can sign a declaration. – An authorized agent of the water right holder shown on the SE records (a written authorization must be filed)

Declarations Review Acceptable Methods - Dividing Beneficial Use – Based on the long-term average annual beneficial use of each water right – Based on any other evaluation method consistent with the SE's records. – May require additional documentation.

Check boxes that correspond to the flaw in the declaration Explanation if declaration is not consistent with SE records Sent to all WR owners shown on S.E. database

The Apportionment Process

APPLICATIONS & FORMS PAGE APPLICATION TO APPORTION BENEFICIAL USE AMOUNTS

Acceptable Effort Did the applicant seek qualified professional assistance in resolving any of the issues preventing the completion of a Declaration?

Acceptable Effort Identify and Locate – Research S.E. records? – Research county recorders records? – Research state & federal agency? – Contact neighboring water users / property owners? – Research historical records? – Contact local water use groups / authorities/ – Internet search? – Telephone search? – Log of efforts?

Acceptable Effort Contact – Contact every water right owner or successor by phone on in person? – Send a certified letter, response requested to every water right owner or successor. – Follow up after 30 days with regular mail letter? – Receive returned envelope showing no forwarding address?

Acceptable Effort Reach Agreement – Meet or communicate with other water users and determine no possibility of reaching agreement? – Were water users willing but unable to determine how to divide beneficial uses? Sworn & Verified Affidavit – Steps taken and efforts made – Unsuccessful results and reasons – Why water users cannot agree – Other problem that cannot be resolved.

Check boxes that correspond to the flaw in the application Explanation if effort to complete a Declaration is not adequate Sent only to applicant

Assigned to Regional Office Applicant must notify other parties in water use group Description of apportionment process

WR OwnerPossible WR Owner Generally addressed Specifically addressed Requirement – update title to be recognized as a party REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

WR Owner Possible WR Owner If ownership not updated may not receive further correspondence REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

NOTICE OF HEARING

Apportioning Beneficial Use Which WR must be apportioned? Gather & Review Information – Info from application – Info received pursuant to request – Other pertinent information (including SE records) Field inspection – Extent of observable beneficial use – Relationship of sources and place(s) of use.

Apportioning Beneficial Use Things to consider: – Water use patterns & history – Priority dates – Land use patterns – Relative sizes of parcels /ownership – Relative flows/AF allowed under each WR – Relationship of sources and place(s) of use Is there adequate info to apportion all WR in the group?

“Unevaluated” label on those rights not apportioned

No right of appeal at this stage of the process How to comment on the preliminary apportionment Description of the remainder of the process

Sent to all water right owners in water use group and the applicant

Order of the State Engineer Beneficial use amount of each water right apportioned Process similar for issuing OSEs on other applications Final action – May request reconsideration (20 days) – May file for de novo review (30 days)

QUESTIONS?