APPROPRIATION AND WATER RIGHTS ISSUES IN THE HIGH-PLAINS OGALLALA REGION

This research assesses the effectiveness of groundwater doctrine in ea stern Colorado and western Kansas within the context of 330 irrigators ' preferences for perceived changes in groundwater appropriations and variances in existing rules to best achieve the public interest. A sur vey of irrigators in six groundwater management districts reveals that attitudes conflict with several aspects of current appropriation doct rine. There is significant support for broad-based, uniform reductions in appropriations when groundwater becomes scarce rather than the ''f irst in time, first in right'' requirement in the prior appropriation doctrine. Many irrigators believe that past water-use efficiency shoul d be a criteria factored into appropriation reduction polices. Most op pose the ''use it or lose it'' concept that requires specified levels of beneficial use to protect a water right, and irrigators oppose spec ial exemptions to permit new wells to benefit the public interest in f ully appropriated areas. Importantly, if irrigators' preferences were codified in the groundwater appropriations doctrines, more groundwater could be conserved.