Water Law:

Water is very simple.  Water runs down hill unless there is money up hill in which case it runs up hill.  If you don’t have enough water, then  go far away and take advantage of someone else’s water.

When you create a water supply, then you create demand.  After you have a demand, then you can raise prices under conservation theory and sell less water for more money.

Droughts are good for raising prices which increases continue after the drought passes.  Basically, droughts are money makers.

Water in the desert tends wards monopoly. So the first guys with the water generally are the monopoly player who will claim their water would be impaired if others try to develop theirs.

The first guys with the water tend to fill the water resources board seats, and water company boards seats, and put their people into government positions to protect their monopoly.  When new comers or interlopers arrive, they face the monopoly, the monopoly lawyers & engineers fed by the monopoly, and the monopoly cronies in the government who have a bias against new comers as who are called  “Speculators” and “Interlopers.”

Watershed is used as a building & zoning tool or weapon as the case may be.  All land is watershed. There is no such thing as non-watershed land. If you can convince the public that spending millions on watershed is a good thing, you can buy alot of land that will not effect water quality, but will promote wild GREEN policies and water agendas of department personnel.

A purpose of drought is to raise money for water monopoly projects.  Every year make sure folks are scared about drought as this loosens the public purse for most any water project imaginable.

A 192 million dollar bond for public safety buildings failed.  A 250 million dollar bond for a water treatment plant passed.  The police aren’t as skilled at PR as the water departments.

Water Facts:

1 Cubic Foot of water 7.48051948 Gallons.  100 Cubic Feet of Water is 748 Gallons.Â

67% of the world is water while less than 1% is drinkable.

Nevada Division of Water Resources:

“Nevada water law is based on two fundamental concepts: prior appropriation and beneficial use. Prior appropriation (also known as “first in time, first in right”) allows for the orderly use of the state’s water resources by granting priority to senior water rights. This concept ensures the senior uses are protected, even as new uses for water are allocated.”

Arizona Department of Water Resources:

“Early in its history, Arizona adopted the doctrine of prior appropriation to govern the use of surface water. This doctrine is based on the tenet of “first in time, first in right which means that the person who first puts the water to a beneficial use acquires a right that is better than later appropriators of the water. Prior to June 12, 1919, a person could acquire a surface water right simply by applying the water to a beneficial use and posting a notice of the appropriation at the point of diversion. On June 12, 1919, the Arizona surface water code was enacted. Now known as the Public Water Code, this law provides that a person must apply for and obtain a permit in order to appropriate surface water.”

Idaho Department of Water Resources:

“Water Rights  The right to divert the public waters of the state of Idaho and put them to a beneficial use, in accordance with one’s priority date.”

Wyoming State Engineer’s Office:

“The Wyoming Constitution defines that all natural waters within the boundaries of the state are declared to be the property of the state.  The Wyoming State Engineer’s Office is charged with the regulation and administration of the water resources in Wyoming.

Wyoming water law operates under the prior appropriation doctrine, or ‘first in time-first in right.’  Those holding an earlier priority water right are allowed to receive their full portion of water before those with junior rights may receive water under their right.”

Colorado Division of Water Resources:

New Mexico

Texas