The California Water Law Journal is sponsored by the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. The Journal provides an opportunity for students, practitioners, academics and others to engage on California water law issues.
The Journal is proud to feature the winning article each year from the annual student writing competition, the California Water Law Writing Prize. The Writing Prize is sponsored by the California Water Law Symposium Board of Directors and McGeorge School of Law.
To submit other articles, please click the “About” link.
Millview County Water District v. State Water Resources Control Board: Use it or lose it? Review of Forfeiture of Pre-1914 Appropriative Rights in California
Use it or lose it — that is the California way. Or is it? Many practicing California water law attorneys long assumed that forfeiture of a pre-1914 appropriative right could automatically occurred after five years of nonuse. However, a recent state appellate opinion puts this assumption in jeopardy.