Implications of Sporhase in Water‐Resource Planning
Publication: Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management
Volume 112, Issue 2
Abstract
Conflicts occur between the commerce clause of the US Constitution and state statutes that forbid the export of water to other states. In Nebraska versus Sporhase, such a conflict was examined and a far‐reaching decision was made. The US Supreme Court held that, except under narrowly defined conditions, it is illegal to apply a statute to prevent the movement of water from one state to another. Water is considered to be a form of commerce similar to wheat or steel. While state planning may be applied to water (its use and supply in the state), it cannot be used to prevent someone from out of state from appropriating water for out‐of‐state uses.
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References
1.
City of Altus versus Carr 255 F. Supp. 828 (1966).
2.
City of El Paso versus Reynolds No. 80‐730HB (DNM Jan. 17, 1983).
3.
Colorado Revised Statutes Ann. sec. 148‐18(4) supp. 1971.
4.
Colorado Revised Statutes sec. 37‐90‐136 (1973).
5.
Hardin, “The Tragedy of the Commons,” 162 Science 1234 (1968).
6.
Hudson County Water Company versus McCarter, 209 U.S. 349 (1908).
7.
Hughes versus Oklahoma, 441 U.S. 322 (1979).
8.
Laws of 1905, c. 238, p. 461.
9.
Minnesota versus Barber, 136 U.S. 313 (1890).
10.
Nebraska Revised Statutes, sec. 46–613.01 (1978).
11.
Nebraska versus Sporhase, 329 NW 2d 855 (1983).
12.
Nevada Revised Statutes 533.025 (1971).
13.
Nevada Revised Statutes 533.22 (1971).
14.
New Mexico Laws, chapter 2 at 55, Vol. 1 (1983).
15.
Pennsylvania versus West Virginia, 262 U.S. 544 (1923).
16.
Railroad Company versus Husen, 95 U.S. 473 (1877).
17.
Sporhase versus Nebraska, 102 S. Ct. 3456 (1982).
18.
Syracuse versus Stacey, 169 N.Y. 231 (1901).
19.
The Daniel Ball, 77 U.S. 557 (1871).
20.
Toomer versus Witsel, 344 U.S. 385 (1948).
21.
West versus Kansas Natural Gas Co., 221 U.S. 229 (1911).
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management
Volume 112 • Issue 2 • March 1986
Pages: 198 - 204
Copyright
Copyright © 1986 ASCE.
History
Published online: Mar 1, 1986
Published in print: Mar 1986
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