Opinion ID: 1301884
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: the director's order

Text: The director concluded that the junior appropriators' condemnation award divested the Department of jurisdiction over the administrative proceeding. He determined that the junior appropriators lacked standing. He determined that because of the condemnation award, the junior appropriators could not be subject to closing notices in favor of NPPD for the next 20 years. He concluded that they had no legally protectable interest or right in the controversy that would benefit from their requested relief. He rejected their argument that they had standing because their junior appropriation status devalued their property. He reasoned that because the parties' appropriation status could change in 20 years, this argument raised only a hypothetical question. Because there was no active controversy remaining in the case, the director concluded that the Department lacked subject matter jurisdiction for further proceedings. The junior appropriators appeal.