85-2-228. Federal reserved water rights with priority date of July 1, 1973, or later -- process and adjudication -- purpose. (1) The purpose of this section is to ensure that a federal reserved water right with a priority date of July 1, 1973, or later is subject to the same process and adjudication as a federal reserved water right with a priority date before July 1, 1973.

(2) Under authority granted to the states by 43 U.S.C. 666, a federal reserved water right that has a priority date of July 1, 1973, or later and that is asserted by a federal agency is subject to the claim filing requirements and all other applicable requirements of the state water adjudication system provided for in Title 85, chapter 2, parts 2 and 7.

(3) At the request of a federal agency, the reserved water rights compact commission may negotiate to conclude a compact under Title 85, chapter 2, part 7, for a federal reserved water right with a priority date of July 1, 1973, or later.

(4) Whenever necessary, a water judge may reopen any decree issued pursuant to Title 85, chapter 2, to process the asserted or negotiated federal reserved water right.