§ 41-3-905 — Application; generally; registration of vested rights; permit to construct well; registration of formerly exempted wells

Nothing herein contained shall be construed so as to interfere
with the right of any person to use water from any existing well
where such water is economically and beneficially used for
irrigation or for municipal, railway, industrial or other
beneficial use, to the extent only that such continued right
does not injuriously affect existing adjudicated surface rights
not heretofore abandoned, and such use is hereby declared to
constitute a vested right, provided, that the owner of any such
right acquired before April 1, 1947, must have filed with the
state engineer the statement required by W.S. 41-3-901 through
41-3-938, on or before December 31, 1957, and the owner of any
right acquired on or after April 1, 1947, must have registered
his well with the state engineer as required by W.S. 41-3-901
through 41-3-938, prior to the effective date of this act, and
provided further, that the right to take underground water from
any well exempted from the provisions of W.S. 41-3-901 through
41-3-938, that is not exempted from the provisions of this act,
and that shall be registered with the state engineer prior to
the effective date of this act, shall also constitute a vested
right in the use of water with priority as of the time of
completion of the well. No well shall be constructed after the
effective date of this act unless a permit has been obtained
from the state engineer. All existing stock and domestic wells
formerly exempted may be registered with the state engineer
prior to December 31, 1972. The state engineer shall make
appropriate forms for such registration available with each
county clerk and at such other places as he deems feasible.