42-608. WATERMASTER’S TERM OF SERVICE. (1) The director of the department of water resources, upon receipt of a certified copy of the meeting minutes and the oath of the watermaster as provided for in section 42-605, Idaho Code, shall appoint the watermaster to a term of service throughout the year, extending until the annual meeting for the ensuing year, or until a successor is appointed. A full-year appointment of the watermaster by the director shall have no effect on the watermaster’s compensation fixed by the water users at the annual water district meeting as provided for in section 42-605, Idaho Code.

(2) A watermaster shall not begin work for the distribution and control of water required under section 42-607, Idaho Code, until called upon by one (1) or more owners or managers of ditches or persons controlling ditches or other diversion facilities in the district stating that there is a necessity for the distribution and control of the waters of the district. In the absence of a call by one (1) or more water users, the watermaster may be called upon to assume the watermaster’s duties at any time the department of water resources finds that there is a necessity for the distribution and control of the waters of the district.

(3) The watermaster shall not continue performing services for the distribution and control of water after the necessity shall cease, which shall be determined by the department of water resources, and which shall not be after the first of November of each year, unless determined necessary by the department of water resources, or is otherwise provided by a resolution adopted at the annual water users’ meeting for the water district, or upon receipt of a petition requesting an extension of the watermaster’s services for the distribution and control of water in any year from the holder of a water right authorizing the diversion or storage of water during the time period for which the extension is sought and upon a determination of necessity for the diversion or storage of water. Payment for watermaster services during the extension shall be the responsibility of the holders of water rights delivered by the watermaster during the extension. For the purpose of determining voting rights at a water district meeting, amounts paid for watermaster services pursuant to this subsection shall be included in the calculation of annual assessment amounts and assessment rates under sections 42-605 and 42-605A, Idaho Code.

(4) At any annual meeting the water users may, by resolution, provide that the watermaster shall serve throughout the year, or for a set term during each year, for purposes of distribution and control as provided in section 42-607, Idaho Code.

History:

[(42-608) 1903, p. 223, sec. 27; reen. R.C., sec. 3278; am. 1909, p. 326, sec. 1; am. 1915, ch. 34, sec. 13, p. 103; reen. C.L., sec. 3278; C.S., sec. 5612; am. 1927, ch. 63, sec. 3, p. 78; I.C.A., sec. 41-508; am. 1939, ch. 199, sec. 1, p. 378; am. 1991, ch. 101, sec. 3, p. 228; am. 1992, ch. 339, sec. 10, p. 1022; am. 2011, ch. 176, sec. 2, p. 501.]