Sec 45-162. Certificate of water right; time limitation on use of water for power purposes

A. When it appears to the satisfaction of the director that an appropriation has been perfected and a beneficial use completed in accordance with the provisions of this article, the director shall issue to the applicant a certificate signed by the director and attested by the seal of the department. The certificate shall set forth the name and address of the owner of the right, the priority of date and the extent and purpose of the right and, if the water is for irrigation purposes, a description of the legal subdivisions of land to which the water is appurtenant. On receiving the certificate, the owner may transmit the certificate and the recording fee to the county recorder of the county in which such right is located, who shall record the certificate in a book kept for that purpose and immediately transmit the certificate to the owner.

B. Certificates for rights to the use of water for power development shall limit the right or franchise to a period of forty years from the date of application, subject to a preferred right of renewal under the laws existing at the date of expiration of the franchise or right. The right acquired by the appropriation shall date from filing the application with the director, and delays in the processing or granting of an application to appropriate or an application for a permit to construct or enlarge a reservoir do not affect the validity of the appropriation or the date of priority assigned to the appropriative right.