Opinion ID: 1193997
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: objectors' arguments

Text: The objectors object to the water court's conclusion that authority for the plan and its approval rests partially upon the fact that many of the wells are exempt from administration. Here we agree with the objectors. The principal argument of the objectors is that, except during flood stages, the Cache LaPoudre River is over-appropriated. With this we agree. Hall v. Kuiper, 181 Colo. 130, 510 P.2d 329 (1973). The argument continues that, unless there is 100% replacement of the water taken from the wells, senior water rights will be injured and there will be a violation of the Water Right Determination and Administration Act of 1969 (section 37-92-101 et seq., C.R.S. 1973, hereinafter called the Act), and the rules and regulations of the State Engineer's office. Objectors argue that the water court has usurped the functions and duties of the State Engineer. According to statute, they contend, the request for a well permit, and action thereon by the State Engineer, is a condition precedent to the filing of an application for approval of the plan for augmentation. Objectors further assert that findings of availability of water for appropriation and of lack of injury to senior water users are prerequisite to issuance of well permits. Further, it is argued, the reservoir water held in storage in the Cache LaPoudre Basin has been used historically so that, after use (presumably irrigation), 50% returns to the stream. The result is that the reservoir water, used under the plan for replacement of well water consumptively used, is 100% consumptively used with none thereof returning to the stream; and the result is that injury results to senior rights. The objectors also contend that the depletion caused by water pumped from wells cannot be determined with sufficient accuracy to ascertain which water user has been injured by the withdrawal, or which would be benefited by the release of the storage water. Except as to our agreement with the propositions that the Cache LaPoudre River is over-appropriated, and that the plan cannot be predicated partially upon the exempt status of many wells, we do not find the foregoing arguments of the objectors fatal to the plan and its approval.