Wright v. Goleta Water District

Opinion

STONE, P. J.

Here, we are asked to decide whether a trial court, in a judicial determination of a ground water dispute among private parties and public entities, may define or otherwise limit future ground water rights of an overlying owner who has not yet exercised those rights. We hold that it may not and reverse the judgment.

Facts

The Scenario

The instant case flows from an action for declaratory and injunctive relief filed in November 1973, by certain overlying landowners (Landowners) against the Goleta Water District (District) to determine relative rights to ground water use in the…