In the Matter of Water Rights as Applied for by Meridian Service Metropolitan District: Meridian Service…

Summary

The court affirmed the district court’s determination that the Ground Water Commission had initial jurisdiction to decide whether runoff associated with Meridian’s proposed development was designated ground water. It held that the relevant water was designated ground water because, under natural predevelopment conditions, it would infiltrate the basin rather than reach a natural stream, and Meridian’s preclusion and public-policy arguments did not alter that result. The court remanded for further proceedings consistent with its opinion.