State Engineer convenes workshop to consider options following Nevada Supreme Court Decision

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On January 28, 2010 the Nevada Supreme Court issued its opinion in the matter of Great Basin Water Network, et al. v. State Engineer and Southern Nevada Water Authority, wherein the Court determined that the State Engineer had violated the statutory duty under NRS § 533.370(2), which requires that the State Engineer approve or reject any application, made prior to the 2003 legislative amendments, within 1 year after the final date for filing a protest. Subsequently, the Nevada Legislature issued a Motion to Express Legislative Intent during a Special Session indicating that the resolution of the issues raised in Great Basin Water Network is of critical importance.

On March 16, 2010 the State Engineer held a workshop to consider possible amendments to Nevada water law to address the issues raised in Great Basin Water Network including (1) the protection of existing water rights, (2) the status of pending applications, (3) the preservation of priorities, and (4) the application of the protest period provisions. The State Engineer has posted written comments filed during the workshop along with suggested language to address the issues raised on the workshop webpage [BLK1] .

The State Engineer will accept proposed amendments that address the issues raised in Great Basin Water Network until Friday, March 26, 2010. Any proposed amendments will be posted on the workshop webpage[BLK2] , and comments to the proposed amendments will be accepted until Friday, April 2, 2010.

For more information, including links to the Supreme Court decision and the Legislatures motion, visit the workshop webpage[BLK3] .