Opinion ID: 1837652
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Department's Findings.

Text: Silverstone next asserts that the Department erred in finding that the canceled portion of the land had not been irrigated for more than 3 consecutive years and, in the alternative, erred in not finding sufficient cause for nonuse. We determine that there was sufficient competent and relevant evidence in the record to support the Department's findings and that the Department's order was not arbitrary, capricious, or unreasonable. With regard to proceedings canceling appropriations for nonuse, we note that § 46-229.04(1) provides that [a]t such hearing the verified field investigation report of an employee of the department shall be prima facie evidence for the forfeiture and annulment of such water appropriation. Furthermore, we have stated as follows: The statutes provide that in the first instance the Department bears the burden to establish nonuse for the statutory period. All that need be done to establish that fact is the verified report of the Department. Once that report is presented by the Department, then a hearing may be held if requested by the appropriators, at which time the appropriators must show cause why the appropriation should not be terminated. The language of the statute clearly indicates that the burden is upon the appropriator to present evidence showing either that water was taken, contrary to the report filed by the Department, or that some excuse existed for the water not being taken. In re Applications T-61 and T-62, 232 Neb. 316, 325, 440 N.W.2d 466, 472 (1989) (quoting In re Water Appropriation Nos. 442A, 461, 462, and 485, 210 Neb. 161, 313 N.W.2d 271 (1981)). At the hearing in the present case, the Department presented a verified field investigation report which indicated that only a specific portion of the land covered by water appropriation A-5000 had been irrigated by surface water in the last 3 years. Martin's testimony at the hearing indicated that the remaining portion of the land had not been irrigated by surface water in at least the last 3 years. Taking the field report and testimony together, the Department established nonuse of a portion of the appropriation for the statutory 3-year period, and it was Silverstone's burden to show cause why that portion of the appropriation should not be canceled. See Morrissey v. Department of Motor Vehicles, 264 Neb. 456, 647 N.W.2d 644 (2002) (indicating, in motor vehicle context, that report and testimony may be taken together to establish administrative department's case). With respect to its burden regarding the portion ultimately ordered canceled, Silverstone was obliged to present evidence showing either that water was taken or that some excuse existed for the water not being taken. Martin's testimony, Dake's generalized reference to sporadic surface water levels, and the exhibit regarding water levels did not establish that water was taken or that there was sufficient cause for nonuse. Instead, the evidence at the hearing supported the report's assertion that only a portion of the land had been irrigated using surface water in at least the last 3 years, and the Department's finding of nonuse without cause regarding the remaining portion. We therefore conclude that both the Department's finding of nonuse and its refusal to find sufficient cause for nonuse were supported by competent and relevant evidence in the record and that the Department's order canceling part of water appropriation A-5000 was not arbitrary, capricious, or unreasonable. We reject Silverstone's assignments of error regarding the Department's findings and order.