Governor Opens Legislature for Special Session: Water Issues Included

Nevada’s Special Session opened December 16, 2015 with Senate Bill 1 , an act that will issue transferable tax credits and tax breaks to certain projects authorized by the government.  Section 64 of this bill relates to water use.  It is proposing to streamline the water use permitting processes in order to encourage economic development.  The Bill as it is currently proposed, may side step certain evaluations and studies the Nevada State Engineer takes into account when reviewing change applications involving transfers of water uses between basins.  In addition, the proposed Bill will limit the parties who can protest these water uses in the change application process.  This may be concerning a s a fundamental concept of western water use is protecting against conflicts, injury, and other impacts between users.  Will this Bill continue to protect these rights? 

Published by Therese A. Ure and Lisa Gage