Opinion ID: 1275766
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Western Water Law

Text: The majority goes further and asserts that not only is the pumps and pipes approach contrary to Washington's statutory scheme but is also alien to western water law in general. Not so. While the answer to our inquiry today lies in our statute and not in western water law, I note that even under western water law prior actual use has never been the single talismanic method for determining a water right. Instead authorities agree such determination is more general and is based on the facts of each case: There must be an intent to appropriate manifested by a physical act.... Today, intent is generally manifested by filing an application for a water license ... The courts require some definite commitment to a project such as a district's approval of a project followed by a physical manifestation of intent. [W]hat constitutes the element of intent and physical act is not the same in every case, and therefore, each case must, and should be considered on an ad hoc basis.[ [4] ] A. Dan Tarlock, Law of Water Rights and Resources § 5.14[1], at 5-73 & 74 (1996) (footnote omitted) (alteration in original) (quoting Colorado River Water Conservation Dist. v. Rocky Mountain Power Co., 174 Colo. 309, 486 P.2d 438, 442 (1971), cert. denied, 405 U.S. 996, 92 S.Ct. 1245, 31 L.Ed.2d 465 (1972)). Here Theodoratus appropriated water by first applying for a permit and then constructing a costly water distribution system as specified in the permit. Under general principles of western water law intended future use of water, and not just actual past use, may establish one's water rights. 1 Wells A. Hutchins, Water Rights Laws in the Nineteen Western States 377-78 (1971) (From early times, courts have recognized the principle that the right to the use of water for irrigation is not necessarily confined to the quantity actually applied at the time the appropriation is made.); State ex rel. State Eng'r v. Crider, 78 N.M. 312, 315, 431 P.2d 45 (1967) (The right to appropriate water for future use is fully recognized by most authorities.). Future intended use is a recognized method of perfection under both the progressive growth doctrine and the growing communities doctrine. Both doctrines come into play here.