Opinion ID: 2627651
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: West's and Turner's Declaratory Judgment Complaint

Text: [¶ 21] To determine whether West and Turner have alleged a justiciable controversy, we start with the four causes of action set out in their amended complaint. Their allegations are extensive and somewhat vague, and we summarize them as follows: 1. The State has violated the Wyoming Constitution by failing to consider the public interest and all the various interests involved when administering CBM water. [3] In addition, the plaintiffs allege generally that the State has violated their right to due process. We assume they are referring to their assertion in the Facts Common to All Claims section of the complaint that the State does not provide neighboring landowners such as Plaintiffs with notice and an opportunity to be heard before issuing permits. [4] 2. The State has violated Wyoming statutes in administering CBM water by failing to protect the public interest in issuing CBM permits [5] and to determine the amount of water which may be withdrawn from groundwater wells and placed in reservoirs in accordance with the concepts of beneficial use and prevention of waste. [6] West and Turner also claim that the State has abdicated its statutory duty to adjudicate and inspect wells and reservoirs. [7] 3. The State`s actions violate the plaintiffs` due process rights. Although they do not explain this due process allegation, we assume they are referring to their assertion that neighboring landowners do not receive notice and an opportunity to be heard when the State considers applications for CBM water permits. As such, it is a restatement of part of their first cause of action. 4. The State has violated the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act (WAPA), Wyo. Stat. Ann. §§ 16-3-101 through 16-3-115 (LexisNexis 2007), governing agency rulemaking. Specifically, the plaintiffs claim the State has failed to promulgate rules pertaining particularly to CBM well and reservoir permitting and is, instead, unlawfully regulating by policy and guidance as evidenced by the exhibits to the complaint. [8]