85-2-404. (Temporary) Abandonment of appropriation right. (1) If an appropriator ceases to use all or a part of an appropriation right with the intention of wholly or partially abandoning the right or if the appropriator ceases using the appropriation right according to its terms and conditions with the intention of not complying with those terms and conditions, the appropriation right is, to that extent, considered abandoned and must immediately expire.
     (2) If an appropriator ceases to use all or part of an appropriation right or ceases using the appropriation right according to its terms and conditions for a period of 10 successive years and there was water available for use, there is a prima facie presumption that the appropriator has abandoned the right for the part not used.
     (3) If an appropriator ceases to use all or part of an appropriation right because the land to which the water is applied to a beneficial use is contracted under a state or federal conservation set-aside program:
     (a) the set-aside and resulting reduction in use of the appropriation right does not represent an intent by the appropriator to wholly or partially abandon the appropriation right or to not comply with the terms and conditions attached to the right; and
     (b) the period of nonuse that occurs for part or all of the appropriation right as a result of the contract may not create or may not be added to any previous period of nonuse to create a prima facie presumption of abandonment.
     (4) The lease of an existing right pursuant to 85-2-436, the use of water pursuant to 85-2-439, or a temporary change pursuant to 85-2-407 does not constitute an abandonment or serve as evidence that could be used to establish an abandonment of any part of the right.
     (5) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply to existing rights until they have been finally determined in accordance with part 2 of this chapter. (Terminates June 30, 1999--sec. 4, Ch. 740, L. 1991.)

     85-2-404. (Effective July 1, 1999) Abandonment of appropriation right. (1) If an appropriator ceases to use all or a part of an appropriation right with the intention of wholly or partially abandoning the right or if the appropriator ceases using the appropriation right according to its terms and conditions with the intention of not complying with those terms and conditions, the appropriation right is, to that extent, considered abandoned and must immediately expire.
     (2) If an appropriator ceases to use all or part of an appropriation right or ceases using the appropriation right according to its terms and conditions for a period of 10 successive years and there was water available for use, there is a prima facie presumption that the appropriator has abandoned the right for the part not used.
     (3) If an appropriator ceases to use all or part of an appropriation right because the land to which the water is applied to a beneficial use is contracted under a state or federal conservation set-aside program:
     (a) the set-aside and resulting reduction in use of the appropriation right does not represent an intent by the appropriator to wholly or partially abandon the appropriation right or to not comply with the terms and conditions attached to the right; and
     (b) the period of nonuse that occurs for part or all of the appropriation right as a result of the contract may not create or may not be added to any previous period of nonuse to create a prima facie presumption of abandonment.
     (4) The use of water pursuant to 85-2-439 or a temporary change pursuant to 85-2-407 does not constitute an abandonment or serve as evidence that could be used to establish an abandonment of any part of the right.
     (5) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply to existing rights until they have been finally determined in accordance with part 2 of this chapter. (Terminates June 30, 2005--sec. 14, Ch. 487, L. 1995.)

     85-2-404. (Effective July 1, 2005) Abandonment of appropriation right. (1) If an appropriator ceases to use all or a part of his appropriation right with the intention of wholly or partially abandoning the right or if he ceases using his appropriation right according to its terms and conditions with the intention of not complying with those terms and conditions, the appropriation right shall, to that extent, be deemed considered abandoned and shall immediately expire.
     (2) If an appropriator ceases to use all or part of his appropriation right or ceases using his appropriation right according to its terms and conditions for a period of 10 successive years and there was water available for his use, there shall be a prima facie presumption that the appropriator has abandoned his right for the part not used.
     (3) If an appropriator ceases to use all or part of his appropriation right because the land to which the water is applied to a beneficial use is contracted under a state or federal conservation set-aside program:
     (a) the set-aside and resulting reduction in use of the appropriation right does not represent an intent by the appropriator to wholly or partially abandon the appropriation right or to not comply with the terms and conditions attached to the right; and
     (b) the period of nonuse that occurs for part or all of the appropriation right as a result of the contract may not create or may not be added to any previous period of nonuse to create a prima facie presumption of abandonment.
     (4) A temporary change pursuant to 85-2-407 does not constitute an abandonment or serve as evidence that could be used to establish an abandonment of any part of the right.
     (5) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply to existing rights until they have been finally determined in accordance with part 2 of this chapter.

     History: En. Sec. 30, Ch. 452, L. 1973; R.C.M. 1947, 89-894; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 339, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 658, L. 1989; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 435, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 8, Ch. 487, L. 1995; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 174, L. 1997.