Municipal Water Rights

Abstract

In each of the past six years the water problems committee of the National Institute of Municipal Law Officers (NIMLO) has urged clarification of the status of the local and federal relationship with respect to water rights. The committee is deeply concerned over the misunderstandings and fears that have thrown a cloud over the United States' most vital natural resource. The committee has deplored the federal government's bold claims of superior rights in water sources essential to municipal growth and survival and its frequent disregard of local rights established under state law and custom of communities.