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H.B. 117 Enrolled
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8 LONG TITLE
9 General Description:
10 This bill authorizes a fishing group to temporarily change a water right for instream flow
11 to protect trout habitat.
12 Highlighted Provisions:
13 This bill:
14 . defines terms;
15 . authorizes a fishing group to file a change application for a fixed period not
16 exceeding ten years for an instream flow to protect or restore habitat for native
17 trout;
18 . requires the Division of Wildlife Resources' director to review the proposed change;
19 . allows a fixed time change applicant to refile the application;
20 . provides that the water right will automatically revert to its previous place and
21 purpose of use when the application expires;
22 . repeals the instream flow water right held by a fishing group in ten years; and
23 . makes technical changes.
24 Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
25 None
26 Other Special Clauses:
27 None
28 Utah Code Sections Affected:
29 AMENDS:
30 63-55-273, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2003, Chapter 254
31 73-3-3, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2005, Chapter 215
32 73-3-12, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2007, Chapter 136
33 73-3-16, as last amended by Laws of Utah 1998, Chapter 33
34 73-3-17, as last amended by Laws of Utah 1955, Chapter 160
35 73-5-4, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2007, Chapter 136
36 ENACTS:
37 73-3-30, Utah Code Annotated 1953
38
39 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
40 Section 1. Section 63-55-273 is amended to read:
41 63-55-273. Repeal dates, Title 73.
42 (1) Title 73, Chapter 27, State Water Development Commission, is repealed December
43 31, 2008.
44 (2) The instream flow water right for trout habitat established in Subsection 73-3-30 (3)
45 is repealed December 31, 2018.
46 Section 2. Section 73-3-3 is amended to read:
47 73-3-3. Permanent or temporary changes in point of diversion, place of use, or
48 purpose of use.
49 (1) For purposes of this section:
50 (a) "Permanent [
51 period of time with an intent to relinquish the original point of diversion, place of use, or
52 purpose of use.
53 (b) "Temporary [
54 period of time not exceeding one year.
55 (2) (a) Any person entitled to the use of water may make permanent or temporary
56 changes in the:
57 (i) point of diversion;
58 (ii) place of use; or
59 (iii) purpose of use for which the water was originally appropriated.
60 (b) [
61 [
62 (3) [
63 change a point of diversion, place of use, or purpose of [
64 involved in a general adjudication or other [
65 this section.
66 (4) (a) A person entitled to use water may not make a change [
67 the state engineer approves the change application [
68 (b) [
69 application upon forms furnished by the state engineer and shall set forth:
70 (i) the applicant's name [
71 (ii) [
72 (iii) the [
73 (iv) the stream or water source;
74 (v) if applicable, the point on the stream or water source where the water is diverted;
75 (vi) if applicable, the point to which it is proposed to change the diversion of the water;
76 (vii) the place, purpose, and extent of the present use;
77 (viii) the place, purpose, and extent of the proposed use; and
78 (ix) any other information that the state engineer requires.
79 (5) (a) The state engineer shall follow the same procedures, and the rights and duties of
80 the applicants with respect to applications for permanent changes of point of diversion, place of
81 use, or purpose of use shall be the same, as provided in this title for applications to appropriate
82 water.
83 (b) The state engineer may[
84 permanent change application involving only a change in point of diversion of 660 feet or less[
85
86 (6) (a) The state engineer shall investigate all temporary change applications.
87 (b) If the state engineer finds that the temporary change will not impair [
88 [
89 (c) If the state engineer finds that the change sought might impair a vested [
90 water right, before authorizing the change, [
91 application to any person whose [
92 (d) Before making an investigation or giving notice, the state engineer may require the
93 applicant to deposit a sum of money sufficient to pay the expenses of the investigation and
94 publication of notice.
95 (7) (a) [
96 [
97 application for the sole reason that the change would impair [
98 water right.
99 (b) If otherwise proper, the state engineer may approve a permanent or temporary
100 [
101 condition that the applicant acquire the conflicting [
102 (8) (a) [
103 may [
104 of use.
105 (b) A change of an approved application does not:
106 (i) affect the priority of the original application; or
107 (ii) extend the time period within which the construction of work is to begin or be
108 completed.
109 (9) Any person who changes or who attempts to change a point of diversion, place of
110 use, or purpose of use, either permanently or temporarily, without first applying to the state
111 engineer in the manner provided in this section:
112 (a) obtains no right;
113 (b) is guilty of a crime punishable under Section 73-2-27 if the change or attempted
114 change is made knowingly or intentionally; and
115 (c) is guilty of a separately punishable offense for each day of the unlawful change.
116 (10) (a) This section does not apply to the replacement of an existing well by a new well
117 drilled within a radius of 150 feet from the point of diversion of the existing well.
118 (b) Any replacement well must be drilled in accordance with the requirements of
119 Section 73-3-28 .
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172 Section 3. Section 73-3-12 is amended to read:
173 73-3-12. Time limit on construction and application to beneficial use --
174 Extensions -- Procedures and criteria.
175 (1) As used in this section, "public agency" means:
176 (a) a public water supply agency of the state or a political subdivision of the state; or
177 (b) the Bureau of Reclamation.
178 (2) (a) [
179 construct works, if necessary, and apply the water to beneficial use [
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181 (b) [
182 an extension of time, not exceeding 50 years from the application's approval date [
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185 (c) [
186 50 years, [
187 a public agency, if the public agency can demonstrate that the water will be needed to meet the
188 reasonable future requirements of the public.
189 (d) [
190
191 appropriation.
192 (e) The state engineer may grant an extension of time:
193 [
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195 (ii) beyond 14 years [
196 (f) (i) The state engineer shall publish a notice of the application once a week for two
197 successive weeks, in a newspaper of general circulation, in the county in which the [
198
199 (ii) The notice shall:
200 (A) state that an application has been made; and
201 (B) specify where the interested party may obtain additional information relating to the
202 application.
203 (g) Any person who owns a water right or holds an application from the source of
204 supply referred to in Subsection (2)(f) [
205 file a protest with the state engineer:
206 (i) within 20 days after the notice is published, if the adjudicative proceeding is
207 informal; and
208 (ii) within 30 days after the notice is published, if the adjudicative proceeding is formal.
209 (h) In considering an application to extend the time in which to place water to beneficial
210 use under an approved application, the state engineer shall deny the extension and declare the
211 application lapsed, unless the applicant affirmatively shows that the applicant has exercised or is
212 exercising reasonable and due diligence in working toward completion of the appropriation.
213 (i) (i) [
214 reasonable and due diligence [
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216 (ii) The approved extension of time is effective so long as the applicant continues to
217 exercise reasonable diligence in completing the appropriation.
218 (j) (i) The state engineer shall consider the holding of an approved application by [
219 a public agency to meet the reasonable future requirements of the public to be reasonable and
220 due diligence within the meaning of this section for the first 50 years.
221 (ii) The state engineer may approve [
222 for a public agency, if the public agency provides information sufficient to demonstrate the
223 water will be needed to meet the reasonable future requirements of the public.
224 (k) If the state engineer finds unjustified delay or lack of diligence in prosecuting the
225 works to completion, the state engineer may:
226 (i) deny the extension of time; or [
227 (ii) grant the request in part or upon conditions, including a reduction of the priority of
228 all or part of the application.
229 (3) (a) Except as provided [
230 proof has not been submitted shall lapse and have no further force or effect after the expiration
231 of 50 years from the date of its approval.
232 (b) If the works are constructed with which to make beneficial use of the water applied
233 for, the state engineer may, upon showing of that fact, grant additional time beyond the 50-year
234 period in which to make proof.
235 (c) An application held by a public agency to meet the reasonable future requirements
236 of the public, for which proof of appropriation has not been submitted, shall lapse, unless
237 extended as provided in Subsection (2)(j).
238 Section 4. Section 73-3-16 is amended to read:
239 73-3-16. Proof of appropriation or permanent change -- Notice -- Manner of
240 proof -- Statements -- Maps, profiles, and drawings -- Verification -- Waiver of filing --
241 Statement in lieu of proof of appropriation or change.
242 (1) Sixty days before the date set for the proof of appropriation or proof of change to
243 be made, the state engineer shall notify the applicant by mail when proof of completion of the
244 works and application of the water to a beneficial use will be due.
245 (2) On or before the date set for completing the proof in accordance with the
246 application, the applicant shall file proof with the state engineer on forms furnished by the state
247 engineer.
248 (3) Except as provided in Subsection (4), the applicant shall submit the following
249 information:
250 (a) a description of the works constructed;
251 (b) the quantity of water in acre-feet or the flow in second-feet diverted, or both;
252 (c) the method of applying the water to beneficial use; and
253 (d) (i) detailed measurements of water put to beneficial use;
254 (ii) the date the measurements were made; and
255 (iii) the name of the person making the measurements.
256 (4) (a) On applications filed for appropriation or permanent change of use of water to
257 provide a water supply for state projects constructed pursuant to Title 73, Chapter 10, Board of
258 Water Resources - Division of Water Resources, or for federal projects constructed by the
259 United States Bureau of Reclamation for the use and benefit of the state, any of its agencies, its
260 political subdivisions, public and quasi-municipal corporations, or water users' associations of
261 which the state, its agencies, political subdivisions, or public and quasi-municipal corporations
262 are stockholders, the proof shall include:
263 (i) a statement indicating construction of the project works has been completed;
264 (ii) a description of the major features with appropriate maps, profiles, drawings, and
265 reservoir area-capacity curves;
266 (iii) a description of the point or points of diversion and rediversion;
267 (iv) project operation data;
268 (v) a map showing the place of use of water and a statement of the purpose and method
269 of use;
270 (vi) the project plan for beneficial use of water under the applications and the quantity
271 of water required; and
272 (vii) a statement indicating what type of measuring devices have been installed.
273 (b) The director of the Division of Water Resources shall sign proofs for the state
274 projects and an authorized official of the Bureau of Reclamation shall sign proofs for the federal
275 projects specified in Subsection (4)(a).
276 (5) The proof on all applications shall be sworn to by the applicant or the applicant's
277 appointed representative and proof engineer.
278 (6) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (6)(b), when filing proof, the applicant shall
279 submit maps, profiles, and drawings made by a Utah licensed land surveyor or Utah licensed
280 professional engineer that show:
281 (i) the location of the completed works;
282 (ii) the nature and extent of the completed works;
283 (iii) the natural stream or source from which and the point where the water is diverted
284 and, in the case of a nonconsumptive use, the point where the water is returned; and
285 (iv) the place of use.
286 (b) The state engineer may waive the filing of maps, profiles, and drawings if in the
287 state engineer's opinion the written proof adequately describes the works and the nature and
288 extent of beneficial use.
289 (7) The completed proof shall conform to rules and standards established by the state
290 engineer.
291 (8) In those areas in which general determination proceedings are pending, or have been
292 concluded, under Title 73, Chapter 4, Determination of Water Rights, the state engineer may
293 petition the district court for permission to:
294 (a) waive the requirements of this section and Section 73-3-17 ; and
295 (b) permit each owner of an application to file a verified statement to the effect that the
296 applicant has completed the appropriation or change and elects to file a statement of water users
297 claim in the proposed determination of water rights or any supplement to it in accordance with
298 Title 73, Chapter 4, Determination of Water Rights, in lieu of proof of appropriation or proof of
299 change.
300 (9) This section does not apply to an instream flow water right authorized by Section
301 73-3-30 .
302 Section 5. Section 73-3-17 is amended to read:
303 73-3-17. Certificate of appropriation -- Evidence.
304 (1) Upon it being made to appear to the satisfaction of the state engineer that an
305 appropriation [
306 or a fixed time change authorized by Section 73-3-30 has been perfected in accordance with the
307 application [
308 a beneficial use, as required by Section 73-3-16 [
309 certificate, in duplicate, setting forth:
310 (a) the name and post-office address of the person by whom the water is used[
311 (b) the quantity of water in acre-feet or the flow in second-feet appropriated[
312 (c) the purpose for which the water is used[
313 (d) the time during which the water is to be used each year[
314 (e) the name of the stream or water source [
315 (i) from which the water is diverted[
316 (ii) within which an instream flow is maintained;
317 (f) the date of the appropriation or change[
318
319 (g) other information that defines the extent and conditions of actual application of the
320 water to a beneficial use[
321 (2) Certificates issued on applications for projects constructed [
322 Title 73, Chapter 10, [
323 Water Resources, and for the federal projects constructed by the United States Bureau of
324 Reclamation, referred to in Section 73-3-16 [
325 shown in the proof. [
326 (3) A certificate [
327 application.
328 (4) Failure to file proof of appropriation or proof of change of the water on or before
329 the date set therefor shall cause the application to lapse.
330 (5) One copy of [
331 of the state engineer and the other shall be delivered to the appropriator or to the person making
332 the change who shall, within [
333 county recorder of the county in which the water is diverted from the natural stream or source.
334 (6) The certificate [
335 evidence of the owner's right to the use of the water in the quantity, for the purpose, at the
336 place, and during the time specified therein, subject to prior rights.
337 Section 6. Section 73-3-30 is enacted to read:
338 73-3-30. Change application for an instream flow.
339 (1) As used in this section:
340 (a) "Division" means the Division of Wildlife Resources, created in Section 23-14-1 , or
341 the Division of Parks and Recreation, created in Section 63-11-17.1 .
342 (b) "Fishing group" means an organization that:
343 (i) is exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3), Internal Revenue Code; and
344 (ii) promotes fishing opportunities in the state.
345 (c) "Fixed time change" means a change in a water right's point of diversion, place of
346 use, or purpose of use for a fixed period of time longer than one year but not longer than ten
347 years.
348 (2) (a) A division may file a permanent or temporary change application, as provided by
349 Section 73-3-3 , for the purpose of providing water for an instream flow, within a specified
350 section of a natural or altered stream channel, necessary within the state for:
351 (i) the propagation of fish;
352 (ii) public recreation; or
353 (iii) the reasonable preservation or enhancement of the natural stream environment.
354 (b) A division may file a change application on:
355 (i) a perfected water right:
356 (A) presently owned by the division;
357 (B) purchased by the division for the purpose of providing water for an instream flow,
358 through funding provided for that purpose by legislative appropriation; or
359 (C) acquired by lease, agreement, gift, exchange, or contribution; or
360 (ii) an appurtenant water right acquired with the acquisition of real property by the
361 division.
362 (c) A division may:
363 (i) purchase a water right for the purposes provided in Subsection (2)(a) only with
364 funds specifically appropriated by the Legislature for water rights purchases; or
365 (ii) accept a donated water right without legislative approval.
366 (d) A division may not acquire water rights by eminent domain for an instream flow or
367 for any other purpose.
368 (3) (a) A fishing group may file a fixed time change application on a perfected,
369 consumptive water right for the purpose of providing water for an instream flow, within a
370 specified section of a natural or altered stream channel, to protect or restore habitat for three
371 native trout:
372 (i) the Bonneville cutthroat;
373 (ii) the Colorado River cutthroat; or
374 (iii) the Yellowstone cutthroat.
375 (b) Before filing an application authorized by Subsection (3)(a) to change a
376 shareholder's proportionate share of water, the water company shall submit the decision to
377 approve or deny the change request required by Subsection 73-3-3.5 (3) to a vote of the
378 shareholders:
379 (i) in a manner outlined in the water company's articles of incorporation or bylaws;
380 (ii) at an annual or regular meeting described in Section 16-6a-701 ; or
381 (iii) at a special meeting convened under Section 16-6a-702 .
382 (c) The specified section of the natural or altered stream channel for the instream flow
383 may not be further upstream than the water right's original point of diversion nor extend further
384 downstream than the next physical point of diversion made by another person.
385 (d) (i) The fishing group shall receive the Division of Wildlife Resources' director's
386 approval of the proposed change before filing the fixed time change application with the state
387 engineer.
388 (ii) The director may approve the proposed change if:
389 (A) the specified section of the stream channel is historic or current habitat for a specie
390 listed in Subsections (3)(a)(i) through (iii);
391 (B) the proposed purpose of use is consistent with an existing state management or
392 recovery plan for that specie; and
393 (C) the water right owner has received a certificate of inclusion from a person who has:
394 (I) entered into a programmatic Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances
395 with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, as authorized by 16 U.S.C. Sec. 1531(a)(5)
396 and 1536(a)(1); and
397 (II) obtained an enhancement of survival permit, as authorized by 16 U.S.C. Sec.
398 1539(a)(1)(A).
399 (iii) The director may disapprove the proposed change if the proposed change would
400 not be in the public's interest.
401 (e) (i) In considering a fixed time change application, the state engineer shall follow the
402 same procedures as provided in this title for an application to appropriate water.
403 (ii) The rights and the duties of a fixed time change applicant are the same as provided
404 in this title for an applicant to appropriate water.
405 (f) A fishing group may refile a fixed time change application by filing a written request
406 with the state engineer no later than 60 days before the application expires.
407 (g) (i) The water right for which the state engineer has approved a fixed time change
408 application will automatically revert to the point of diversion and place and purpose of use that
409 existed before the approved fixed time change application when the fixed time change
410 application expires or is terminated.
411 (ii) The applicant shall give written notice to the state engineer and the lessor, if
412 applicable, if the applicant wishes to terminate a fixed time change application before the fixed
413 time change application expires.
414 (4) In addition to the requirements of Subsection 73-3-3 (4)(b), an application
415 authorized by this section shall:
416 (a) set forth the legal description of the points on the stream channel between which the
417 instream flow will be provided by the change application; and
418 (b) include appropriate studies, reports, or other information required by the state
419 engineer demonstrating the necessity for the instream flow in the specified section of the stream
420 and the projected benefits to the public resulting from the change.
421 (5) (a) For a permanent change application or a fixed time change application filed
422 according to this section, 60 days before the date on which proof of change for an instream flow
423 is due, the state engineer shall notify the applicant by mail or by any form of communication
424 through which receipt is verifiable of the date when proof of change is due.
425 (b) Before the date when proof of change is due, the applicant must either:
426 (i) file a verified statement with the state engineer that the instream flow uses have been
427 perfected, setting forth:
428 (A) the legal description of the points on the stream channel between which the
429 instream flow is provided;
430 (B) detailed measurements of the flow of water in second-feet changed;
431 (C) the period of use; and
432 (D) any additional information required by the state engineer; or
433 (ii) apply for a further extension of time as provided for in Section 73-3-12 .
434 (c) (i) Upon acceptance of the verified statement required under Subsection (5)(b)(i),
435 the state engineer shall issue a certificate of change for instream flow use in accordance with
436 Section 73-3-17 .
437 (ii) The certificate expires at the same time the fixed time change application expires.
438 (6) No person may appropriate unappropriated water under Section 73-3-2 for the
439 purpose of providing an instream flow.
440 (7) Water used in accordance with this section is considered to be beneficially used, as
441 required by Section 73-3-1 .
442 (8) A physical structure or physical diversion from the stream is not required to
443 implement a change for instream flow use.
444 (9) This section does not allow enlargement of the water right that the applicant seeks
445 to change.
446 (10) A change application authorized by this section may not impair a vested water
447 right, including a water right used to generate hydroelectric power.
448 (11) The state engineer or the water commissioner shall distribute water under an
449 approved or a certificated instream flow change application according to the change
450 application's priority date relative to the other water rights located within the stream section
451 specified in the change application for instream flow.
452 (12) An approved fixed time change application does not create a right of access across
453 private property or allow any infringement of a private property right.
454 Section 7. Section 73-5-4 is amended to read:
455 73-5-4. Controlling works and measuring devices.
456 (1) To assist the state engineer or water commissioner in the regulation, distribution,
457 and measurement of water, [
458 Subsection (4), shall construct or install and maintain controlling works and a measuring device
459 at:
460 (a) each location where water is diverted from a source; and
461 (b) any other location required by the state engineer.
462 (2) [
463 measuring device accessible to the state engineer or water commissioner.
464 (3) The state engineer shall approve the design of:
465 (a) the measuring device; and
466 (b) controlling works so that the state engineer or a water commissioner may regulate
467 and lock the works.
468 (4) A person using water as an instream flow:
469 (a) shall install and maintain a measuring device or stream gauging station in the section
470 of the stream within which the instream flow is maintained; and
471 (b) is not required to install controlling works unless the state engineer's order
472 approving the application requires the installation because controlling works are necessary to
473 achieve the purpose of the application.
474 [
475 measuring device as directed by the state engineer to measure the inflow, storage content, and
476 outflow from the reservoir.
477 (b) The state engineer shall approve the design and location of the measuring device.
478 (c) The owner or manager of a reservoir shall make the measuring device accessible to
479 the state engineer or water commissioner.
480 [
481 or measuring device after 30 days' notice to do so by the state engineer, the state engineer may:
482 (a) forbid the use of water until the user complies with the state engineer's requirement;
483 and
484 (b) commence enforcement proceedings authorized by Section 73-2-25 .
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