Water law focuses on the development, allocation, use, and preservation of fresh water across and beneath the landscape. Its goal is to mediate interaction among humans seeking to use water and between humans and the water resource itself. The modern practice of water law requires not only an understanding of the judicial development of water law, but also the pervasive overlay of science-based agency administration, comprehensive water use statutory schemes, and adjudication. Similarly, because of the pervasive federal role in water resources development in the West, as well as the large amount of land and water owned by the United States and American Indian tribes, a modern water lawyer must understand that water law involves the interrelationship of three sovereigns: state, tribal, and federal government. Those entering the practice of water law today enter at a time when many water sources are fully appropriated, demand is increasing, and supply is less dependable due to climate change. Complicating matters, social values have shifted from solely viewing water as a commodity to be used and toward the recognition that instream (or "environmental") flows for a variety of purposes are an important water use. This book is designed to help students navigate this complex field of law. It also introduces the increasing role of diplomacy and development of novel solutions to solve modern water law problems. The co-authors hope that this approach will inspire a new generation of water law students to play a positive role in contemporary western water law.

A study in government, as well as the relationship between law and economic development in the American West, beginning with fights over water in the California gold fields and looking at water management during the next 50 years. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Hutchins, Wells A., Harold H. Ellis and J. Peter DeBraal. Water Rights Laws in the Nineteen Western States. [Washington, D.C.]: United States Department of Agriculture. [1971]. Three volumes. Reprint available July 2004 by The Lawbook Exchange, Ltd. ISBN 1-58477-414-2. Cloth. $350. * Rights to the use of water from surface and underground sources are often crucial in the seventeen contiguous Western states, Alaska and Hawaii. This work offers a comparative analysis of the development and status of the constitutional provisions, statutes, reported court decisions and administrative regulations, practices and policies regarding water rights laws in these states. The analysis considers the nature of these water rights and their acquisition, control, transfer, protection and loss. Federal, interstate and international matters are also discussed.

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