Opinion ID: 1195240
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Result of Reaching a Contrary Decision.

Text: If this Court were to find that I.C. § 42-222(2) does not authorize partial forfeiture of a water right, once the amount element of a water right is decreed, a water user could hold the water against all subsequent appropriators by using only a part of the water. Such a scheme is inconsistent with Idaho water law, which provides that if a water right is abandoned or forfeited it reverts to the state, following which third parties may perfect an interest therein. IDAHO CONST., art. 15, § 3; I.C. § 42-222(2); Idaho Power Co., 104 Idaho at 589, 661 P.2d at 755; Jenkins v. State Dep't of Water Resources, 103 Idaho 384, 387-88, 647 P.2d 1256; Sears v. Berryman, 101 Idaho 843, 848 623 P.2d 455, 460 (1981); Gilbert, 97 Idaho at 738, 552 P.2d at 1223 (1976). The governmental function in enacting ... the entire water distribution system under Title 42 of the Idaho Code is to further the state policy of securing the maximum use and benefit of its water resources. Nettleton v. Higginson, 98 Idaho 87, 91, 558 P.2d 1048, 1052 (1977). See IDAHO CONST., art. XV, § 7. In Kunz v. Utah Power & Light Co., 117 Idaho 901, 792 P.2d 926 (1990), the Court commented: The water of this arid state is an important resource. Not only farmers, but industry and residential users depend upon it. Because Idaho receives little annual precipitation, Idahoans must make the most efficient use of this limited resource. The policy of the law of this [s]tate is to secure the maximum use and benefit, and least wasteful use, of its water resources. Id. at 904, 792 P.2d at 929 (quotations and citations omitted). Integral to the goal of securing maximum use and benefit of our natural water resources is that water be put to beneficial use. This is a continuing obligation. See Washington County Irrigation Dist. v. Talboy, 55 Idaho 382, 390, 43 P.2d 943, 946 (1935); Glavin v. Salmon River Canal Co., 44 Idaho 583, 589-90, 258 P. 532, 534 (1927). Partial forfeiture makes possible allocation of water consistent with beneficial use concepts.