By Laura Schroeder and Lynn Steyaert The State of Idaho recently filed a Petition in the District Court of the Fifth Judicial District of the State of Idaho in and for the County of Twin Falls to commence the adjudication of surface and ground water rights within the Coeur d’Alene-Spokane Basin. A commencement hearing is
Northern Idaho Adjudication Read More »
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) recently released a new report entitled “Ground-Water Availability in the United States.â€Â The article is written for a broad range of audiences which makes an interesting read for anyone interested in what scientists know (and don’t know) about the nation’s groundwater supply. In addition, comprehensive maps and diagrams illustrate the
USGS Report Focuses on Nation’s Ground Water Supply Read More »
Recently, a New Mexico court ruled that the State Engineer is required to review all new applications for exempt domestic wells. Prior to the ruling, those drilling exempt wells were merely required to file for a “permit†that would be automatically approved by the State Engineer. The recent ruling requires the State Engineer to review
New Mexico Rules State Engineer Required to Closely Review Applications for Exempt Wells Read More »
Written by Dominic Corollo In early July 2008 the Oregon Supreme Court ruled that the party with an ownership interest in a certificated water right is the party who initiates and completes the statutory steps necessary to acquire the water right and certificate. It is not necessarily the person who physically puts the water to
Irrigation District is Holder of Water Rights Subject to Transfer Read More »
The Oregon Water Resources Department recently announced that the Department has $1.6 million available for funding under the Water Conservation, Reuse and Storage Grant Program. Under the Program, OWRD will match up to $500,000 in funding from another source for each project. The intent of the Program is to encourage feasibility studies and environmental analysis
OWRD Announces Grant Program Read More »
As the weather starts to heat up for the summer and water becomes scarce, many areas are affected by drought. Fortunately, the average domestic water user can avoid being a passive victim of droughts by conserving water. Individuals and families that conserve water will reduce their personal expenses and help their community by limiting the impact
Helpful Water Conservation Tips Read More »
(June, 9th 2008) Today the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a new rule excluding transfers of water from one body of water to another from the permitting requirements of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). The new rule stipulates that water transfer activities that do not introduce pollutants into transferred water will not be subject to NPDES regulations. The rule defines
EPA Reaffirms Clean Water Permits Not Needed for Water Transfers Read More »
The Oregon Water Resources Commission received staff guidance and public comment on a number of issues during a May 30 meeting in Burns, Or, including an aggressive budget proposal by the Water Resources Department for the 2009-2011 biennium. The overwhelming focus of the budget proposal was on the $50 million dollars the Department proposed for
Water Resources Commission Convenes in Burns Read More »
The Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) committed to initiate a rulemaking to address concerns by well drillers and contractors over potential liability for well alterations under current OWRD policy. OWRD’s historic policy allowed well alterations without automatically requiring that the entire well be brought up to current construction standards. However, recent Department policy now requires
OWRD Agrees to Address Well Alteration Concerns Read More »
Retired Reclamation Commissioner John Keyes passing is sad news. I first “engaged” Reclamation with John at the helm in the Boise Regional office in 1992 when working for the Teel Irrigation District. We were dealing with issues surrounding “water spreading” then making headlines in the Umatilla Project by Water Watch of Oregon. Over the years,
Remebering John Keyes Read More »
Focusing on the soon to be launched adjudication in north Idaho, water and real estate lawyers gathered in Coeur d”Alene, Idaho May 15 and 16, 2008. As in other McCarran adjudications in which we are involved, issues expected to be included will be federal including Indian, Forest Service and Reclamation issues; instream including hydro, water
Northern Idaho Adjudication Read More »
The Federal Court made its decision on the jurisdictional question by sending the case back to Lyon County District Court last week. See http://www.kesq.com/Global/story.asp?S=8229832 for more information. Interestingly, many farmers have still not received water that is due to them as insufficient flows continue in the Truckee-Carson Canal. Crops are being stressed and damaged. Many
TCID Flood Issues: Part 2 Read More »
In the aftermath of the January 2008 flood after the Truckee-Carson Canal break, many lawsuits have been filed. These suits have been filed in both state and federal courts in Nevada and present many questions as to which Court holds jurisdiction to hear these issues. Proper jurisdiction depends on the parties to the lawsuit as
State or Federal Jurisdiction over TCID Flood Issues? Read More »
Guest post by James Carver I’ve worked for over thirty years in the field of water law in the office of the State Engineer and the Water Resources Department. During those years I served as head of the Water Rights Division and later as Deputy State Engineer under Chris Wheeler. I also presided over administrative
Recollections of A Native Oregonian Read More »
An historic agreement has been reached in a dispute over water in the Rio Grande Project. It has taken 29 years in a process stagnated by several lawsuits to prepare an operating agreement negotiated between the Bureau of Reclamation, Elephant Butte Irrigation District (EBID), and the El Paso County Water Improvement District No. 1. No
Rio Grande Project Agreement Reached Read More »
The government of Armenia is inaugurating a new president on Wednesday, April 9, at 2 in the afternoon. Large crowds are expected in the downtown area in connection with the official events, which will include a military procession through Freedom Square and evening festivities at Republic Square. It is not expected that much dramatic change
Elections and Water Code Revisions Read More »
Armenia’s current water code requires a water system use permit (WSUP) without exception for any system of facilities. The WSUP is issued by the Public Services Regulatory Commission (PSRC). It has been suggested municipalities and small community water associations that own and operate their own domestic water delivery system should be exempt from the requirement
Water Facilities Permitting in Armenia Read More »
In Armenia, domestic water supply and sewer services are supplied either by local municipalities or State owned stock companies. There are five State owned stock companies in Armenia, the State owns 100% of the shares in Armenian Water, Nor Akung and Yerevan. The State owns 51% of the stock in Lori and Shirak while the
“Ownership” of Water Facilities in Armenia Read More »
The final topic of discussion on the OWRC conference call addressed changing start card fees for constructing wells. Start card fees, fees paid along with the notification of new well construction, partially fund the OWRD staff payroll. The fee is currently $125.00. OWRD is concerned that the fee is no longer sufficient to sustain the
OWRD Legislative Concepts: Part 5 Read More »
Personal service means just what it says! On March 28, 2008, in United States v. Alpine Land and Reservoir Co., Judge Lloyd D. George reaffirmed that only those 281 individual water right holders who returned their acknowledgement of service must defend the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe’s suit challenging the existence of their water rights. The
Many Newland Farmers See End in Sight Read More »
