Show U Utah's tabs tab's Supreme Court Turns Down US Claim on Green River e Utah's Supreme Court has turned down a US government claim on Green River drainage water In doing so the state court up- up upheld upheld held a Third District Court Ruling Rul- Rul Ruling ing UTAH'S Supreme Court ruled that the water rights the Green Rivers River's drainage above its confluence with Pot Creek in Daggett Summit and Uintah counties had been properly ad ad- ad adjudicated by the state engineer and Judge A Ii H Ellet of Third District Court The water case began In 1948 when the state began fag ing water uses on the northern slopes of the The federal government was granted about 1000 water right I claims in the area but the US has protested that no rights should be awarded without reo re- reserving serving future uses to the fed fed- federal eral government THE JUSTICE Department t argued that to the extent that waters within national forests are needed for fulfillment of the purposes they are not subject to appropriation It said that It is conceded that private individuals have acquired their water rights but it is contended that they must always be inferior and subordinate nate to right which the govern govern- government ment might decide at a later date The state court declined to accept this and concluded that If in the future the govern meat ment could assert rights which could have been adjudicated in inthis inthis this proceeding this decree would be without solid foundation tion the private water rights adjudicated could be made a aI shambles I |