Opinion Number

Dear Mr. Mitchell:

You have requested an opinion of this Office regarding who controls the surface water rights for Clear Lake and Smithport Lake in DeSoto Parish. We are informed by DeSoto Parish Bayou Fish and Game Commission that water is being pumped out of these lakes and some streams in DeSoto Parish for natural gas drilling purposes in your area. Your concerns related to who controls the water originate from this type of usage.

OVERVIEW OF ISSUES:

It is our understanding, based on information from the State Land Office, Louisiana Division of Administration, that thebottoms of these two…