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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Oregon Snowpack: A Winter Wonderland in 2025 With the first day of spring just around the corner, Oregon’s snowpack is now a topic of significant interest and importance. This year, Oregon has experienced remarkable snowfall, leading to a snowpack that is not only above average but also the best in the western United States. What
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The 2025 Nevada Legislative Session has begun. It’s looking like a busy session for water bills. Four bills caught my attention and we thought we should share them with you! Assembly Bill 134 AB 134 proposes to amend NRS Chapter 533 to allow owners of a perfected water rights to submit water conservation plans to
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TAXING FARMERS BASED ON WATER AVAILABILITY Attorney Laura Schroeder recently returned from Egypt. She shares in this article the use of nilometers in ancient Egypt that offers a fascinating intersection of law, administration, and environmental science. These devices were pivotal in determining tax rates based on the annual flooding of the Nile River, highlighting the
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Is Specialized Training for Nevada Water Judges Working? Most agree that the Nevada Supreme Court’s initiative to provide specialized training for Nevada water judges was a significant step towards improving the adjudication of water law cases in the state. However, the jury is still out when it comes to determining the overall success of the
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Water Use Efficiency and Conservation in Las Vegas: A Model for Arid Cities Las Vegas, a city renowned for its vibrant nightlife and extravagant resorts, is also becoming a beacon of water use efficiency and conservation. Nestled in the Mojave Desert, Las Vegas faces unique challenges in managing its water resources. With approximately 90% of
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