Opinion ID: 1275096
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: teel's alternate acreage petition

Text: Teel argues that, once the department withdrew its proposed certificates and final proof survey, the department lacked statutory authority to consider Teel's alternate acreage petition on the merits and, therefore, that the department should have dismissed the petition. The department responds that, under the statutes existing at the time of Teel's petition, both a permittee and a holder of a perfected water right could petition to have water delivered to areas other than those specified in the permit or certificate. See former ORS 540.510(1) and (4); ORS 540.570 (1991) (providing for use of water on lands to which the right is not appurtenant). Therefore, the department argues, it had the authority to consider Teel's petition on the merits, whether or not Teel had a perfected water right. Moreover, the department argues, its administrative rules allow a permittee with an unperfected water right to file an alternate acreage petition. OAR 690-21-030. We need not consider the merits of the parties' arguments, because we conclude that the issue of the department's authority to consider Teel's alternate acreage petition on the merits is moot. Teel filed its alternate acreage petition in February 1993, seeking a modification of its water use for the 1993 irrigation season. That petition, if granted, would have given Teel the right to deliver water to alternate acreage for the 1993 irrigation season only. See former ORS 540.570(5) (1991) (so providing). The question whether Teel's petition should have been denied or dismissed lost any significance after the 1993 season. Thus, we do not decide whether the circuit court erred in setting aside the department's February 25, 1993, order denying Teel's alternate acreage petition. We hold that that issue is moot. [5]