Opinion ID: 1224377
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: for purposes of this section, certificate includes certificates issued pursuant to title 45, chapter 1, article 5 or article 10.

Text: Sec. 2. Section 45-151, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read: 45-151. Right of appropriation; permitted uses; water rights in stockponds A. Any person or, the state of Arizona or a political subdivision thereof may appropriate unappropriated water for domestic, municipal, irrigation, stock watering, water power, recreation, wildlife, including fish, nonrecoverable water storage pursuant to section 45-833.01 or mining uses, for his personal use or for delivery to consumers. The person or, the state of Arizona or a political subdivision thereof first appropriating the water shall have the better right. B. To effect the beneficial use, the person or, the state of Arizona or a political subdivision thereof appropriating the water may construct and maintain reservoirs, storage facilities pursuant to chapter 3.1 of this title, dams, canals, ditches, flumes and other necessary waterways. C. A water right in a stockpond, certified pursuant to article 10 of this chapter, shall be recognized as if such water had been appropriated pursuant to this article. D. THE VALIDITY OF AND THE RIGHT TO EXERCISE A WATER RIGHT OBTAINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE LAW SHALL NOT BE DIMINISHED, IMPAIRED OR OTHERWISE AFFECTED BECAUSE OTHER WATER IS OR MAY BE AVAILABLE TO THE APPROPRIATOR FROM AN ALTERNATIVE RIGHT OR SOURCE TO SATISFY THE SAME USE. E. THE RIGHT TO WATER APPROPRIATED ON LANDS OWNED BY THE UNITED STATES SHALL BE HELD BY THE PERSON WHO FIRST EFFECTS THE BENEFICIAL USE OF THE WATER APPROPRIATED AND BY THE PERSON'S SUCCESSOR. THIS SUBSECTION SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED TO PRECLUDE THE UNITED STATES FROM BEING THE HOLDER OF A RIGHT IF THE UNITED STATES FIRST EFFECTS THE BENEFICIAL USE. F. A WATER SOURCE THAT IS LOCATED ON LAND OWNED BY THE UNITED STATES AND THAT HAS BEEN OR MAY BE APPROPRIATED UNDER STATE LAW MAY BE BENEFICIALLY USED ON ANY LAND WHETHER OR NOT OWNED BY THE UNITED STATES. Sec. 3. Section 45-153, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read: 45-153. Criteria for approval or rejection of applications: restrictions on approval, municipal use A. The director shall approve applications made in proper form for the appropriation of water for a beneficial use, but when the application or the proposed use conflicts with vested rights, is a menace to public safety, or is against the interests and welfare of the public. the application shall be rejected. B. An application may be approved for less water than applied for if substantial reasons exist but shall not be approved for more water than may be put to a beneficial use. Applications for municipal uses may be approved to the exclusion of all subsequent appropriations if the estimated needs of the municipality so demand after consideration by and upon order of the director. C. IF THE DIRECTOR APPROVES AN APPLICATION FOR THE APPROPRIATION OF WATER FOR USE ON LAND OWNED BY THE STATE OF ARIZONA, A PERMIT OR CERTIFICATE SHALL BE ISSUED AS PRESCRIBED BY SECTION 37-321.01. IF THE DIRECTOR APPROVES AN APPLICATION FOR THE APPROPRIATION OF WATER FOR USE ON LAND OWNED BY THE UNITED STATES, A PERMIT OR CERTIFICATE SHALL BE ISSUED AS PRESCRIBED BY SECTION 45-151, SUBSECTION E. Sec. 4. Section 45-164, Arizona Revised Statutes. is amended to read: