# Alaska Stat. § 46.15.040: Right to appropriate

> Alaska · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T46_C46.15_S46.15.040

## Section

- **Citation:** Alaska Stat. § 46.15.040
- **Heading:** Right to appropriate
- **Jurisdiction:** Alaska
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** AK Code / Title 46 / Chapter 46.15 / Section 46.15.040

## Text

(a) A right to appropriate water can be acquired only as provided in this chapter. A right to the use of water either appropriated or unappropriated may not be acquired by adverse use or possession.

(b) A right to appropriate water shall be obtained by first making application to the commissioner for a permit to appropriate. The commissioner shall by regulation prescribe the form and contents of the application and the procedure for filing the application. If a permit is granted and the means of appropriation is constructed, a certificate of appropriation may be obtained.

(c) All applications to the commissioner for a permit to appropriate water, filed subsequent to July 1, 1966, shall be considered as having been simultaneously filed with the Department of Fish and Game under AS 16 and the Department of Environmental Conservation under AS 46.03 .

(d) The commissioner's issuance of a permit under AS 46.15.080 or of a certificate under AS 46.15.065 or 46.15.120 does not represent a guarantee by the state to the permittee or certificate holder that water will be available for appropriation at a certain volume, quality, artesian pressure, or cost. This subsection does not, however, alter the right a permittee or certificate holder may have against a later appropriator, including a government agency.

## Nearby sections

- [Alaska Stat. § 46.15.010 Determination of water rights.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T46_C46.15_S46.15.010.md)
- [Alaska Stat. § 46.15.020 Authority and duties of the commissioner.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T46_C46.15_S46.15.020.md)
- [Alaska Stat. § 46.15.035 Appropriation or removal of water out of hydrologic units to other hydrologic units; water conservation fee; reservation of water for fish.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T46_C46.15_S46.15.035.md)
- [Alaska Stat. § 46.15.037 Sale of water by the state.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T46_C46.15_S46.15.037.md)
- [Alaska Stat. § 46.15.040 Right to appropriate.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T46_C46.15_S46.15.040.md)
- [Alaska Stat. § 46.15.050 Priority.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T46_C46.15_S46.15.050.md)
- [Alaska Stat. § 46.15.060 Existing rights.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T46_C46.15_S46.15.060.md)
- [Alaska Stat. § 46.15.065 Determination of existing rights.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T46_C46.15_S46.15.065.md)
- [Alaska Stat. § 46.15.080 Criteria for issuance of permit.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T46_C46.15_S46.15.080.md)
- [Alaska Stat. § 46.15.090 Preference in granting permits.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T46_C46.15_S46.15.090.md)
- [Alaska Stat. § 46.15.100 Terms of permit.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T46_C46.15_S46.15.100.md)
- [Alaska Stat. § 46.15.110 Time for construction and completion.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T46_C46.15_S46.15.110.md)
- [Alaska Stat. § 46.15.120 Certificates.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T46_C46.15_S46.15.120.md)
- [Alaska Stat. § 46.15.133 Notices; objections.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T46_C46.15_S46.15.133.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AK_T46_C46.15_S46.15.040. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.