Recent Updates in Water Law

The panel will discuss recent updates in state and federal water law.  Brian Heiserman will provide an overview of federal water rights and discussion of recent cases in Arizona’s General Stream Adjudications involving federal water right claims.  Michael Foy will present an overview of recent developments in the Gila River General Stream Adjudication, which include decisions from the Special Master regarding the forfeiture of pre-1919 appropriative water rights and the exclusivity of the statutory permitting process for post-1919 appropriative rights.  It also will cover the initiation of proceedings in the Verde River Watershed, including the initial steps that have been taken to delineate the subflow zone and analyze potential de minimis uses in that Watershed. Riley Snow will discuss an update on the outlook and management of the Colorado River. Discussion will focus on the impacts to Arizona through its participation in the Colorado River Drought Contingency Plan. Perspectives from both the Upper and Lower Colorado River Basins will be presented, with a focus on how other basin states' actions and policies stand to affect Arizona now and into the future.
 
Seminar Chair:
Jeff Heilman, Arizona Department of Water Resources*
 
Faculty:
Michael Foy, Salmon, Lewis & Weldon PLC
Brian Heiserman, Fennemore Craig PC
Riley Snow, Snow Law
 
*Also speaking