Oroville Dam is the tallest dam in the country. It is located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas, east of Sacramento, California. All of the recent storms and heavy rains have caused the water in the dam to rise rapidly. Last week, a giant hole appeared in the dam’s main spillway. This caused officials […]
The Danger of the Failing Water Reservoirs Read More »
During the month of January, the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association is hosting a series of workshops around the state regarding grazing permits on federal lands. The Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service agencies (and other agency representatives) will be giving presentations on their plans to implement land use changes that have been established for
Federal Land Grazing Permit Workshops in Nevada Read More »
The upcoming 2017 Nevada Legislative Session includes proposed water law changes that could affect water rights users across the state. The 79th legislative session, which starts on February 6, 2017 and ends on June 5, 2017, contains a number of proposed water law changes. It appears there will be four senate bills submitted by the
Proposed Water Law Changes in 2017 Read More »
The Nevada Farm Bureau has adopted new and revised policies, which are available in their 2017 Policy Book. The policy positions were approved by farmer/rancher voting delegates at the general session of the 2016 Nevada Farm Bureau Annual Meeting. One important new policy adopted by the Nevada Farm Bureau relates to supporting groundwater management plans
The Nevada Farm Bureau 2017 Policy Supporting Groundwater Management Plans Read More »
Oregon Legislative Updates A drought task force, authorized in 2016 by the Oregon Legislature, submitted their year-end report[1] to the Governor in November discussing how Oregon can better anticipate and adapt to increasingly common years of drought. Specifically, the report encourages the State to review the drought declaration process to better assist with drought response,
Schroeder Law Offices at Oregon Water Law Seminar for Annual Updates Read More »
Photograph by Maurice Mikkers Normally, we do not have a positive association with tears – typically, they are released in response to pain, whether physical or emotional. However, some recent photographic artwork can perhaps help reframe our concept of tears as an unexpected source of beauty. The Dutch scientist Maurice Mikkers prepares images
Schroeder Law spent a lovely Saturday morning with the ladies of the Yamhill County Chapter of Oregon Women for Agriculture, packing gift packs that are sold as the Chapter’s annual fundraiser. The activity is a 45 year tradition! Assembling and offering the gift packs is a community
As an update to the previous blog posted regarding the Fallon Range Training Complex Modernization and Public Comments, https://www.water-law.com/deadline-approaching-submit-nepa-scoping-comments-nevadas-fallon-range-training-complex/, the deadline to submit comments has been extended. The new deadline is December 12, 2016. If you are interested in submitting comments there are several ways to submit comments including online or by mail. Submit Comments
Fallon Range Training Complex Modernization EIS Public Comment Period Extended Read More »
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bonneville Power Administration, and the Bureau of Reclamation (“federal agencies”) are engaged in a five year process to analyze the effects of the Federal Columbia River Power System on salmonid species. In May 2016, District Court Judge Michael Simon found the federal agencies had violated the Endangered Species
Snake River Dam Removal Public Meetings Read More »
The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (“NDEP”) has been evaluating nonpoint source water pollution, occurring when rain, snowmelt and irrigated water flowing over developed land carries contaminants into Nevada waterways. Accordingly, NDEP implemented a Nonpoint Source Grant Program to provide funding to qualifying state, regional and county agencies, as well as conservation districts and nonprofit
New Grants Awarded to Improve Surface Waters in Nevada Read More »
In a move he hopes will ease the most arduous administrative burden faced by the Idaho Department of Water Resources, Director Gary Spackman has created the state’s largest groundwater management area, encompassing the Eastern Snake River Plain Aquifer (ESPA) region. Hoping “to stop the drop” of the aquifer level, which has experienced an annual rate
Groundwater Management Area created for East Snake Plain Aquifer Read More »
The International Commission on Irrigation and Draining (ICID) hosted the World Irrigation Forum (WIF) in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The 2016 conference serves as the second annual forum. The intent of the World Irrigation Forum is to bring together all stakeholders in order to provide a platform for the world irrigation community to work to find solutions to the problems the irrigation community faces. Some of
Washoe County is hosting a public forum to discuss the Public Lands Bill on Wednesday, November 2, 2016 from 4:30 pm – 7:00 pm at the Reno Sparks Convention Center. A few of the main priorities of the bill include: Make certain federal lands available for future economic development opportunities Expand recreational opportunities to include
Public Forum Scheduled to Address the Washoe County Public Lands Bill Read More »
The American Water Works Association (AWWA), Pacific Northwest Section’s October meeting focused on seismic resiliency and emergency preparedness by discussing strategies implemented by the Willamette Water Supply Program in building a water delivery system that should withstand a disaster. The meeting emphasized the importance of building a water supply distribution system on soils that will
Seismic Resiliency – A Topic for Discussion in the Water World Read More »
NEPA is the acronym for the National Environmental Policy Act. NEPA’s purposes included setting national policy to encourage productive and enjoyable harmony between humans and their environment; promoting efforts that will prevent or eliminate damage to the environment; and, enriching the understanding of the ecological systems and important natural resources. See 42 U.S. C. 4321
Due to recent crackdowns by the State Engineer in Nevada regarding both forfeitures and cancellations of groundwater rights not in full use, it is important to keep records of your water use. One method to show use is by recording your meter readings. This is important both for permitted wells and certificated wells respectively, to
Showing Diligence in Water Use by Tracking Water Use Meters Read More »
The Montana Supreme Court recently issued its decision in the long fraught dispute about exempt groundwater wells. The ruling by the Montana Supreme Court in The Clark Fork Coalition v. Tubbs, will protect the rights of senior water users from exempt groundwater wells that often deplete the amount of available surface water.[1] The Montana Water
Montana Recognizes Interconnection of Groundwater and Surface Water Systems Read More »
On October 13, 2016, the Nevada Division of Water Resources (“NDWR”) provided notice that a new Application for Extension of Time form must be used when requesting an extension of time for the submission of a Proof of Completion of Work, Proof of Beneficial Use or Cultural Map. It appears that NDWR is placing more
New Request for Extension of Time Form Issued by Nevada Read More »
Like many Portlanders, I enjoy visiting OMSI whenever I get the chance – whether to see my favorites among the permanent exhibits or to be surprised by new attractions. Some years ago, I viewed a temporary installation that showcased a number of low cost, innovative technologies whose aim is to alleviate the burdens of water
Smart Design for Healthier Communities Read More »
The Lander County Commission (“LCCD”) is funding a program for sage grouse enhancement projects and is currently looking for land owners that reside in Lander County (not just ranchers) to participate in a sage grouse project. LCCD first received funding for the project in 2014 when they were granted $50,000 to begin projects benefitting the
Sage Grouse Project Funding Available in Lander County, Nevada Read More »
