How a water lawyer thinks about using water on a sailboat….. Using water aboard a sailboat demands thoughtful stewardship. It’s not just for the crew’s comfort, but as a microcosm of the larger challenges in water law and rights. On deck, with a fill port labeled “WATER” and a hose snaking in, the process may […]
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Have You Heard of Nevada Water? Nevada Water, through the University of Nevada at Reno, is a network comprised of many organizations statewide. They have the common goal of bringing water education to everyone from students to leaders. Nevada is the driest state in the country. The population is growing fast so that changes in
Celebrating 20 Years and a New Beginning: Tara Lomacz Begins Her Law School Journey A Milestone Worth Celebrating This month marks a major milestone for Tara Lomacz (née Tara Jackson). She is celebrating 20 years with Schroeder Law Offices, PC. Tara began her career as an administrative assistant and grew into the role of senior
Nevada Passes Two New Bills Combatting Water Scarcity Throughout the State In June, 2025, Nevada’s Governor, Joe Lombardo, signed two new bills creating a voluntary Water Rights retirement Program. These are Assembly Bill 104 (A.B. 104) and Senate Bill 36 (S.B. 36). As a result, the Nevada Voluntary Water Rights Retirement Program was officially established.
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Schroeder Law Offices proudly announces the promotion of Caitlin Skulan to Partner—a milestone that marks her six years of exceptional dedication, legal acumen, and leadership in the field of water law. Caitlin’s journey from a passionate law school graduate to a respected attorney and now Partner is a testament to her unwavering commitment to the
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On July 16, 2025, Iron Bar Holdings, LLC petitioned the United States Supreme Court for review of the “Corner Crossing Case.” The Corner Crossing Case is a federal case arising out of the Federal District of Wyoming. It is primed to set precedent on public land use in the West. History of the Case The
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A Must-Attend Event for Water Resouces Professionals Registration is now open for the upcoming United States Commitee on Irrigation and Drainage (USCID) 2025 Conference. The event is set for October 21-24 at the Eldorado Resort Casino in Reno, Nevada. Conferences | USCID This annual event is a premier gathering for professionals in irrigation and drainage,
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Can I Use My Spring in Oregon Without A Water Right of Use? Oregon Water Resources Department’s (“OWRD”) is ratcheting down on new applications for surface and groundwater sources. Consequently, Oregonians are looking at those uses exempt from water righting by OWRD. Different exemptions apply whether the use is considered surface or groundwater. So what
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Immense Aquifer Discovered in Oregon’s Cascade Mountains Background Central Oregon relies heavily on streams and snowmelt from the Cascade Mountains, which feed into the McKenzie and Deschutes Rivers. Recently, researchers uncovered a surprising new water source in the Cascades. It is a previously unmapped aquifer believed to contain over 80 cubic kilometers of water beneath
Revisions to Exempt Groundwater Use in Oregon In the 2025 Oregon Legislative Session, the Oregon State legislature passed House Bill (HB) 3372. HB 3372 changes rules allowing people to use groundwater without requiring a water right. These uses are called “exempt” from water right requirements. Groundwater is a major source of domestic, stockwater, and supplemental
In a significant decision, the United States Supreme Court has narrowed the scope of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This ruling came from the case Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County. What is NEPA? NEPA is a law that requires federal agencies to consider the environmental impact of their actions. For any major federal
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Wildfires and Drinking Water Flavor: Insights from the Wine Industry Oregon debates how to fund wildfire prevention and response. Legislation that would repeal Oregon’s controversial statewide Wildfire Hazard Map sits in the Oregon House. Republicans, Democrats, and the Oregon Governor negotiate. Oregon had a record 1.9 million acres of its 61.6 million acres burn in
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Not Just a Trend: How and Why Drought-Resistant Landscaping Matters The classic appeal of a lush, green lawn is undeniable. However, there are many drawbacks that make maintaining grass-covered yards burdensome. With average temperatures rising and annual rainfall decreasing throughout the western United States, the cost of keeping a well-manicured lawn has increased dramatically. As
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The Nevada Division of Water Resources is hosting public presentations to provide information and receive comment for issues within the Humboldt River region. If you have concerns or are interested in learning how NDWR is looking to conjunctive management in these regions, you should attend! More information can be found at https://water.nv.gov/posts and then following the link
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New Drought Insurance Program in Washington State: A Lifeline for Farmers Introduction Washington State, through the Department of Ecology (DOE), has launched an innovative Washington State Drought Insurance Program. The program aims at providing relief to farmers and water right holders along the Columbia River. This program is designed to mitigate the impact of drought.
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NNPH & RCAC April Workshops Attention Northern Nevada residents, have you ever wished your home’s septic system and well came with an owner’s manual? Well, you’re in luck. This month, Northern Nevada Public Health (NNPH) and the Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) are teaming up to offer two free in-person workshops focused on domestic wells
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Appellate Court Rules on Corner Crossing Case On March 18, 2025, the Tenth Circuit Appellate Court issued a ruling on Iron Bar Holdings v. Cape, et al., what has become commonly referred to as the “Corner Crossing Case”. As noted in our earlier blog, the Corner Crossing Case sets precedent on public land use in
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The Greater Idaho Movement is a fascinating and complex effort that has gained traction in recent years. This movement seeks to redraw the state boundaries. Several counties in eastern Oregon would become part of Idaho. The primary motivation behind this movement is the cultural and political differences between the rural, conservative eastern Oregon and the
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House Bill 3419: What’s Next for Well Monitoring and Reporting? Oregon House Bill 3419 has the potential to restrict how much water homeowners can pump from their exempt (non-permitted) wells. It requires meters to record water usage. This bill also focuses on constructing consistency in how water use is measured and reported, in hopes to
USCID Call for Papers – Consider Participating! The United States Committee on Irrigation and Drainage (USCID www.uscid.org) is excited to announce the call for papers for its Annual Conference, scheduled to take place from October 21-24, 2025, in Reno, Nevada. This year’s conference will focus on the critical issues surrounding water supply and demand, emphasizing
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