R655-16-2. Justification

Proper water right administration requires a quantification of the Beneficial Use(s) to which the holder of a water right is entitled. To facilitate record keeping, each unique Beneficial Use or set of Beneficial Uses is assigned a Water Use Group number in the State Engineer's records. Some of the State Engineer's records indicate the Beneficial Uses in a Water Use Group are authorized under two or more water rights (Supplemental Rights), but do not quantify the Beneficial Use Amount authorized under each individual right. Administrative activities requiring an evaluation of the Beneficial Use of a water right may necessitate the quantification of the Beneficial Use allowed under each supplemental water right in a Water Use Group.

This rule provides for a "Declaration of Beneficial Use Amounts" form to enable Water Right Holders to declare Beneficial Use information and document agreement with that declaration by those with supplemental water rights.