Opinion ID: 1160516
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: the enlargement provision in section 42-1426 is constitutional as a consequence of the mitigation provision.

Text: Section 42-1426(2) of the Idaho Code provides that an enlargement shall only be allowed if it does not injure water rights existing on the date of enlargement of use. Further, [i]f injury to a water right later in time cannot be mitigated, then a new right for the enlarged use shall be advanced to a date one (1) day later than the priority date for the junior water right injured by the enlargement. I.C. § 42-1426(2). Section 42-1426 of the Idaho Code would violate Article XV, § 3 of the Idaho Constitution if it allowed a party with a claim for an enlargement to unconditionally receive a priority date as of the date of enlargement regardless of injury to junior appropriators. However, that is not the case. The clear and unambiguous language of the statute provides that only those enlargements which do not increase the rate of diversion, do not injure other water rights existing on the date of enlargement, and which fully mitigate any potential injury to junior water rights existing as of the date of enactment of the amnesty statutes are permitted. I.C. § 42-1426(2). Section 42-1426 of the Idaho Code is constitutional as written because it provides that an enlargement cannot be allowed that would injure a junior appropriator. The Court has not been presented with the specific issue of what conditions directly related to the injury can be imposed to adequately mitigate any injury to junior water rights existing on the date of enactment of the statute. This litigation deals with the abstract and hypothetical, since there is no individual claim of injury or proposed mitigation before the Court. However, some injury from an enlargement can be identified if the enlargement takes priority over a validly established water right held by a so-called junior appropriator. The junior appropriator will not receive the water that he/she would have received but for the enlargement if there is not enough water to serve all water users. It is difficult, if not impossible, to perceive of a situation in which an enlargement would not injure an appropriator who had an established right if the enlargement receives priority. However, there is at least the possibility that an appropriator seeking an enlargement of one water right might accept a diminution of another water right held by the same appropriator to assure that the enlargement of the one water right will not reduce the total volume available to the junior appropriator. The issue of mitigation cannot be decided in a vacuum. But it is clear that if there are no mitigation provisions that will assure that there will be no injury to the junior appropriator, the new right for the enlarged use must be advanced to a date one day later than the priority date for the junior water right injured by the enlargement. The provision for advancement of the priority date is adequate protection to junior appropriators. The enlargement provision of section 42-1426 is constitutional.