Skeen v. Boyles

OPINION

BUSTAMANTE, Judge.

{1} This case centers on the effect of a written land ownership and well-sharing agreement (Agreement) entered into some fifty years ago by the owners of adjacent ranches in southern New Mexico. The Agreement contained a provision that the ranch owners — Joseph and Mary Helen Skeen and William and Ramona Treat— would maintain wells located on their respective properties and supply water to each other’s ranches for livestock. Defendants Bob and Jim Boyles (the Boyles) are the Treats’ successors-in-interest. The district court ruled that the Agreement created a…