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Committee unanimously approves bill to extend abandonment protections for water rights during long repairs
Summary
Senate File 80 would let owners of dams or diversion systems apply to the Board of Control for five-year extensions when necessary repairs or replacement prevent beneficial use; the committee passed the measure 9-0 after state engineers described aging infrastructure demands.
Senate File 80, introduced by Senator Sherry Steinmetz, passed the Agriculture, State & Public Lands & Water Resources Committee by a 9–0 vote after testimony that the measure would protect water-right holders from forfeiture when aging dams, diversions or related infrastructure require extended repair or replacement time.
Steinmetz told the committee the bill adds a pathway under state water law that allows “the owner of a lawful dam or diversion system … to apply to the Board of Control … for an extension not to exceed 5 years within which to use water or reactivate use of water therefrom for the…
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