The issue of updating ownership of water rights of use continues to rear its ugly head in the context of water right forfeiture proceedings. I can’t stress enough how important it is in Nevada to update ownership records with the Nevada Division of Water Resources. Currently, NRS 533.384 requires buyer to file ownership update information with the State Engineer.

Thus, when buying property, it is not enough to record your deed with the county, you must also update the records for water rights of use with the Nevada Division of Water Resources by filing a report of conveyance and abstract of title (these are specific forms with instructions available on the NDWR website). If there is a title issue that might take you some time or assistance to sort out, then file a Request for Correspondence (another form) with NDWR so you at least receive some kind of notice as to matters relating to your water rights. Don’t miss these important notices putting your water rights of use in jeopardy by failing to update ownership records!

Some title issues that come up in Reports of Conveyance and Abstracts of Title include deeds that inadvertently do not transfer all the property, deeds that have different names or entities thus causing additional supporting research to show they are one-in-the-same, having to research title back to the original water right holder, and having to sift through probate documents to show a transfer in ownership, to name a few. Regardless of the issue that needs resolving, now is the time to diligently check your rights of use and ensure you are in compliance with NRS 533.384.

We are excited to announce our new office building for the Schroeder Law Offices, P.C. Reno Office! We were previously located off Marsh in the Midtown Reno area, but have relocated to a bigger space in South Reno that better fits our needs to serve our clients. Please take note of our new physical and mailing address listed below:

Schroeder Law Offices, P.C.
10615 Double R Blvd.
Reno, NV 89521

We couldn’t be more pleased with our new space and are looking forward to serving clients from this new location. We are currently adjusting to our new home but will be hosting an open house event this coming summer to get to know our community better and share the space with our clients. Be on the lookout for an announcement with open house details!

On September 26, 2016, our office provided information in a prior blog regarding the NEPA process for the Fallon Range Training Complex (FRTC) Modernization.  The Navy has provided a summary report of the public involvement and stake holder outreach activities that were conducted through the public scoping period that concluded on December 12, 2016. 

You can find the summary report by following the link below:
https://frtcmodernization.com/Public-Involvement/Public-Information/Public-Information-Materials#PublicScopingSummaryRpt

The schedule of EIS development can be found at:
https://frtcmodernization.com/Public-Involvement

For all other FRTC Modernization EIS information, please visit:
www.FRTCModernization.com

Prior FRTC Public Scoping Blogs:

Fallon Nevada Navy Training Complex Expansion & NEPA Process

Deadline Approaching to Submit NEPA Scoping Comments to Nevada’s Fallon Range Training Complex “FRTC” Modernization Proposed Action

Fallon Range Training Complex Modernization EIS Public Comment Period Extended

On February 1, 2017, Laura Schroeder, Alan Schroeder, and Therese Ure had the honor of attending the Society of Range Management’s Award Ceremony to honor friend of Schroeder Law Offices, P.C. and Schroeder & Lezamiz Law Office, LLP, Al Steninger, in the receipt of the Sustained Lifetime Achievement Award. From the words of the Society for Range Management:

Al Steninger joined the Society for Range Management in 1961, and is a life member. A native of Elko, NV, Al has had a varied career. He’s been a buckaroo, a ranch manager, eared his BS/MS from Colorado State University, worked as a BLM Area Manager, range consultant, ranch broker, appraiser and arbitrator. Since 1968, he has operated Western Range Service and Nevada Ranch Service in Elko serving private clients west-wide. Al has improved management on millions of acres of rangeland. In all phases of his work, Al has maintained adherence to scientifically-based range management strategies. Al advocates that good range studies result in good range management decisions. Not only has he collected data, interpreted data, and turned data into management, he has applied the data on-the-ground on several large ranges he managed or advised, bring innovative range management into practice. Al’s consulting is built on strict ethical standards; he believes his clients deserve the truth based on facts. His brokerage and arbitration policy is: be thorough, be transparent, and provide service and ethics which are beyond reproach. His integrity has attracted collaboration with top scientists and educators in range management in conducting range studies and expert testimony. As part of a pioneering Elko family, Al has been active in support of the Elko County Fair, Northern Nevada Community College, Elko Historical Museum, and other civic projects. For his long-time efforts to combine good science with practical experience in managing rangelands The Society for Range Management recognizes Al Steninger with a 2017 Sustained Lifetime Achievement Award.

Schroeder Law Offices, P.C. and Schroeder & Lezamiz Law Office, LLP sponsored a reception after the Award Ceremony to honor Steninger’s achievements which was attended by 40-50 of Steninger’s range management colleagues. We were honored to be a part of this celebration.

by Lisa Kane and Therese Ure

The 2017 Nevada Legislative Session is currently in motion; the 79th legislative session began on February 6th and will continue through June of 2017. Meetings are being held daily by the senate and assembly committees as they review proposed changes to Nevada legislation. There are several already-proposed bills on water law that may affect water rights users in the state (click here for a more comprehensive list), however, a couple of new bills have been introduced in the past week that seek to address different water-related matters.

Assembly Bill 209 (AB 209), proposed by Assemblyman James Oscarson of Nye County, is drafted to address issues with extensions on groundwater rights and forfeiture prevention. The bill seeks to revise provisions concerning water law in the State of Nevada that would require the State Engineer to, under certain circumstances, extend the time necessary to work a forfeiture of certain water rights. The full text for this proposed bill can be found here.

Senate Bill 134 (SB 134), proposed by Senator Pete Goicoechea of Eureka County and Senator Aaron Ford of Clark County, was also newly introduced in the past week and focuses on providing legislative direction to the State Engineer in regards to water applicants and conflicts with existing water rights. Specifically, SB 134 would authorize the State Engineer to determine if such a conflict exists and if so, to impose a monitoring, management and mitigation plan upon applicants whose requested use conflicts with existing rights. The bill also requires that conflicts be eliminated in order for the water use application to be permitted. The full text for this proposed bill can be found here. While the current water law already requires the State Engineer to evaluate and not approve applications that conflict with existing rights, this legislation add the ability to impose monitoring, management, and mitigation plans (aka “3M Plans”) as a way to offset conflicts.

The Nevada State Legislature’s website provides session information as well as bill draft requests, fact sheets, bill text and further information. The Legislature’s calendar also provides links to daily meetings and allows the public to view live sessions across the state. To keep apprised of bill progress or view active work session agendas visit the legislature website at https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/Calendar/A/.

The upcoming 2017 Nevada Legislative Session includes proposed water law changes that could affect water rights users across the state. The 79th legislative session, which starts on February 6, 2017 and ends on June 5, 2017, contains a number of proposed water law changes. It appears there will be four senate bills submitted by the Nevada State Engineer and Nevada Division of Water Resources during the session, as well as five bills from the Nevada Legislative Committee to Study water, and five bills from individual legislators and committees.

The four senate bills to be introduced to the 2017 legislative session that include potential changes to water law in Nevada are as follows: Senate Bill 47 (SB47) proposes various changes to the appropriation of water; Senate Bill 51 (SB51) proposes various changes to the adjudication of vested water rights; and Senate Bills 73 and 74 (SB73 and SB74) propose the revision of various provisions relating to water rights and use in the State of Nevada. Any pre-filed bills, which include the senate bills listed above, are available for public viewing on the Nevada Legislature’s website at https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/79th2017/Reports/Prefiled.cfm. By clicking on the link for the proposed bill, users can view the full bill text as introduced to the Senate as well as the bill’s history of hearings or votes as the session moves along. These bills are also referred to the Senate Natural Resources Committee for review.

While proposed bills could bring changes to water law at a statewide level in Nevada, county officials and other local groups are also working to develop local water management plans. The Nevada Farm Bureau, for example, has a collected a group of interested volunteers to participate in a Water Discussion group for water management plans specific to volunteers’ areas around the state. The Bureau also continues to encourage interested parties to contact them for more information regarding such discussion. According to the Pahrump Valley Times, officials in Nye County have conducted studies on a number of wells in the Pahrump Valley that have the potential to go dry. Further, studies are ongoing in the Humboldt River Basin and being conducted by USGS and DRI. It appears scientists are looking to understand the groundwater system better.

Studies such as those being conducted in Nye County will likely continue across the state in preparation for recommendations on approval or denial of the proposed water law changes in Nevada’s 79th Legislative Session in 2017. Counties and hydrographic basins may have different needs based on appropriation and water sources available. The interested public can keep current with session information and the drafting and approval of bills as the session persists at the legislature’s website: https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/. County and city papers also continue to publish information regarding more local sessions.

The Nevada Farm Bureau has adopted new and revised policies, which are available in their 2017 Policy Book. The policy positions were approved by farmer/rancher voting delegates at the general session of the 2016 Nevada Farm Bureau Annual Meeting. One important new policy adopted by the Nevada Farm Bureau relates to supporting groundwater management plans for critical management areas.

The Nevada Farm Bureau recognized that under state law, local citizens have an opportunity to propose groundwater management plans in order to bring allocated water rights of use back into balance with actual available water resources. The State Engineer has identified one water basin, Diamond Valley, as a Critical Management Area. This basin is open to Groundwater Management Plans, that can be proposed by local citizens. In the new policy, the Nevada Farm Bureau provides an outline of criteria a management plan must meet in order to obtain support of the Farm Bureau. Some key points, among others, stipulate that the proposed plan must be developed at the local level, must recognize priority of senior water right users, and must restrict the water covered by the plan from leaving the basin.

The Farm Bureau’s goal with the new policy concerning groundwater management plans is to address and provide guidance to possible changes in state water law that may come up in the next legislative session. The Farm Bureau believes this new policy will positively impact farming and ranching industries by protecting its most important resource.

As an update to the previous blog posted regarding the Fallon Range Training Complex Modernization and Public Comments, https://www.water-law.com/deadline-approaching-submit-nepa-scoping-comments-nevadas-fallon-range-training-complex/, the deadline to submit comments has been extended. The new deadline is December 12, 2016. If you are interested in submitting comments there are several ways to submit comments including online or by mail.

Submit Comments Online:

To submit comments online, please visit:
https://frtcmodernization.com/Public-Involvement/Submit-Your-Comment

Mail In Comments:

For a written form, please follow the link to download and print a pdf form:
https://frtcmodernization.com/portals/FRTCModernization/files/forms/FRTCMEIS_Scoping_Comment_Form.pdf

Mail written comments to the address listed below:

Naval Facilities Engineering command Southwest
Code EV21.AK
1220 Pacific Highway
Building 1, 5^th Floor
San Diego, CA 92132

In order for your comments to be considered in the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), the comments MUST be postmarked or received online by December 12, 2016.

NEPA is the acronym for the National Environmental Policy Act.  NEPA’s purposes included setting national policy to encourage productive and enjoyable harmony between humans and their environment; promoting efforts that will prevent or eliminate damage to the environment; and, enriching the understanding of the ecological systems and important natural resources. See 42 U.S. C. 4321 for additional details.  To promote these purposes, NEPA defined processes federal agencies must follow when they propose an action, grant a permit, or agree to fund or otherwise authorize any other entity to undertake an action that could possibly affect environmental resources. Thus, an  EA (Environmental Assessment) or an EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) are resulting products of NEPA analysis.  Generally speaking, NEPA’s requirement is simply to engage in the a process that analyzes the effects on the environment with public input and disclosure, before taking action.

Once a project is determined to have a federal nexus to require NEPA, the first stage in the process is scoping.  In scoping the lead federal agency asks for comment and input from the public as to the nature and the extent of the issues and impacts to be addressed in the EIS.  It is during scoping that your comment on the proposed action’s effect on you or the environment, rangeland resources, water sources, wildlife, livestock grazing, cultural resources, and the like, are required. During scoping, you can identify a reasonable alternative solution, state that alternative with specificity, and request that it be considered in the NEPA process.  In the end, your input in the scoping process could change what the agency determines are the issues and what alternatives might be considered when that lead federal agency prepares the Environmental Impact Statement.

NEPA processes do NOT give the agency authorization to proceed on a project or provide funding for a project.  It is merely one required step in the federal process of decision making.  Once NEPA is completed, the agency usually issues a ROD (Record of Decision) that outlines how, or under which alternative, the agency may proceed forward. Generally speaking, lawsuits related to NEPA seek declaratory judgments or writs of mandamus to establish the NEPA obligations (ie the agency needs to follow more process).  NEPA does not authorize awards of attorney’s fees and expenses for prevailing parties unless a plaintiff can qualify under EAJA, 28 USC 2412.

NEPA, is the only the precursor to agency action.  If your rights or interests may be affected by a proposed action, now it the time to start positioning yourself to show harm so that you may be adequately compensated in separate proceedings should the proposed action proceed.

In Fallon Nevada, NEPA scoping began for the Fallon Range Training Complex Modernization’s proposed action that will 1) renew existing 202,589 acres of public land withdrawal that is set to expire on November 6, 2021; 2) withdraw and reserve for military use 604,744 acres of additional public land to expand existing land ranges; 3) acquire 65,160 acres of “non-federal” land (think state owned or privately held) to expand existing land ranges; 4) expand special use airspace, as well as reconfigure existing airspace; and 5) modify range infrastructure to support he expansion. Scoping Comments are due, pursuant to the Federal Register Notice, on November 25, 2016 (see, Vol. 81, No. 166 at 58919 dated August 26, 2016).  See also, www.frtcmodernization.com for more information relating to the proposed action.

This expansion will include several grazing allotments.  Some of these allotments will be completely closed to grazing, while others will be modified in some way.  Both the Nevada Farm Bureau and the Nevada Cattlemens Association are working to prepare comments in this scoping process, however you should also submit your own comments related specifically to your affected areas. A map of the effected grazing allotments in relation to the proposed action can be found at: https://frtcmodernization.com/portals/FRTCModernization/files/maps/FRTCLM05140v11_NAS_Fallon-Proposed_Land_Renewal_and_Expansion_Map_with_Grazing_Allotments.pdf

Once the scoping period closes, the agencies will prepare a draft EIS.  According to the public meetings, the draft EIS is expected to be published in the Winter of 2018.  After the draft is published, there will be another round of public meetings and another comment period relating to the draft EIS document.  Currently the final EIS is expected in the Fall of 2019, with Record of Decision to be issued in the Winter of 2020.

Don’t wait to get your comments drafted as the November 25^th deadline is the day after Thanksgiving!

On October 13, 2016, the Nevada Division of Water Resources (“NDWR”) provided notice that a new Application for Extension of Time form must be used when requesting an extension of time for the submission of a Proof of Completion of Work, Proof of Beneficial Use or Cultural Map.

It appears that NDWR is placing more emphasis on the section explaining the reason why the extension is being requested. The instructions sheet accompanying the Extension Request now states that the applicant must highlight progress made during the previous year, and must also “submit any proof and evidence that documents reasonable diligence.” Thus it is important to document what you have been doing on your project to prove up on your rights as well as keep records and documents showing your progress (ie – well driller receipt, pump, pipe, or other infrastructure purchase receipts, photographs with infrastructure installation (include the date, time, and place), and log books of you contact with agency personnel if your project involves working with other state or federal agencies).

Please keep this in mind when preparing an Application for Extension of Time. It appears the NDWR is cracking down and no longer “rubber stamping” approval on application requests.  You don’t want a request for an extension of time denied for lack of proof of due diligence! To view the new Application for Extension of Time form, please visit the NDWR’s website at http://water.nv.gov.

The Department of Defense Plans to Expand the Fallon Nevada Navy Training Complex. Now is the Time to Participate and Comment in the NEPA process!

The Fallon Range Training Complex (FRTC) is planning expansion of its Fallon Nevada facilities and announced in the Federal Register its intent to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS). The EIS will assess the potential environmental consequences of maintaining and modernizing the FRTC which would include land range expansion through additional land withdrawal and land acquisition, airspace modifications, and public land withdrawal renewal. The proposed action includes withdrawal and reservation for military use of approximately 604,744 acres of additional public land, and acquisition of approximately 65,160 acres of non-federal land to expand existing ranges.

A recent Nevada Farm Bureau newsletter notes concerns for the adverse impacts on farmers and ranchers due to the grazing allotments that would be impacted.
If you would like to participate in this process, there will be a series of open house meetings scheduled to take place.

Along with participation in these meetings, it is imperative that you submit comments with all your concerns over the proposed project to ensure you have legal standing as to the impacts of the proposed action in the future. Comments must be postmarked or received online no later than November 25, 2016. Stay tuned for a blog on the importance of drafting NEPA comments. More information is available at: http://www.FRTCModernization.com

On, Thursday, September 1, 2016, the State Bar of Nevada’s Environmental and Natural Resource Section hosted a successful Meet & Greet mixer event for the section members with invited special guests. The special guests consisted of agency leaders from both state and federal environmental and natural resource agencies.  The special guests in attendance included:

The casual event included a cocktail hour followed by question and answer period with fun questions designed with the intent to learn about our agency leaders.  This event provided a great opportunity for the section members to get to know the agency leaders of the decision making bodies of their profession.  The mixer was organized and hosted by the Section Co-Chairs Linda Bullen and Therese Ure.

New laws and legislation may affect you, stay tuned for tomorrow’s work session on topics of adaptive management, domestic use, cloud seeding, basin management, and mine dewatering!

Nevada’s Legislative Commission’s Subcommittee to Study Water will be holding a meeting on Friday morning, August 26, 2016 at 9:00AM at the Legislative Building, Room 4100, at 401 South Carson Street in Carson City.

Items on the agenda include the “Work Session Document” containing recommendations received by the Legislative Commission’s Subcommittee during the 2015-2016 Legislative Interim. This document is designed to assist the subcommittee members in determining which recommendations will be forwarded to the 2017 session, and what other actions the Subcommittee will endorse.

For those who may not be able to attend the meeting in Carson City, it will also be broadcast live over the internet via http://www.leg.state.nv.us, and can be viewed or listened to by clicking the link for “Calendar of Meetings/View” in the top right-hand corner of the page.

Items in the agenda as well as the Work Session Document and other information pertaining to the meeting can be found on the Nevada Legislature website under the “Meetings” tab. For written copies, please contact the Research Division, Legislative Counsel Bureau at (775) 684-6825.

A PDF link to the agenda including the Work Session Document can be found here.

The July 2016 Nevada Lawyer Magazine focuses on drought conditions and features Schroeder Law Offices’ Attorney Therese Ure’s article, “Use It or Lose It:” for Nevada’s Water in Times of Drought. The article discusses Nevada Revised Statute 534.090, which has become known as the “Use It or Lose It Doctrine” in reference to water rights and Nevada’s forfeiture law.  As drought conditions fluctuate across the west, and particularly in arid desert states such as Nevada, statutory forfeiture provisions relating to partial forfeiture are in conflict with conservation measures such as planting crops that require less water. Click here to read more about defining the use of water and the forfeiture process in the State of Nevada, an online exclusive for Nevada Lawyer Magazine. A full copy of the July 2016 Nevada Lawyer Magazine can be found online.

Forfeiture

We’ve all heard “Use it or Lose it” referring to the Prior Appropriation System.  The use it or lose it concept is the term we use for legal forfeiture which will apply to your water rights of use depending on your jurisdiction and type of water right.  Generally, this concept requires beneficial use of water appropriated under state law over a specific time interval.  In some states (like Nevada and Oregon), “use it or lose” is statutorily controlled, the law describes when a water user must exercise their water right of use.  In Oregon both groundwater and surface water certificates require water use once for every five consecutive year time frame. ORS 540.610. In Nevada, the statute provides that only groundwater certificated uses are subject to forfeiture for non-use if not used at least once every five years.  NRS 534.090. Thus, if you last used your certificated water right of use in 2011, you best put whatever water is available for appropriation under your certificate in place for 2016!  Make sure to use it so you are not at risk of losing it!

Abandonment

Use it or lose it as defined by the water code should not be confused with abandonment, a court made doctrine that may be more broadly applied.  Abandonment will cause cancellation of a water use by intention not to use.  Intention can be established by expression as in a written document or by a physical act.  The physical act of abandonment can include placing a permanent structure over or on top of water righted lands.  If you plan to build the next industrial sized plant, packing shed, scale house, onion storage, fill in your ditch, or take out your diversion structures, etc., you should file that water use transfer or change application prior to any construction!

While this gives you the very “basic” overview of these two legal concepts, Schroeder Law Offices can provide a more detailed explanation

The Nevada Cattlemen’s Association posted a news release on May 16, 2016 regarding the Permittee Outreach Workshop. This workshop is geared towards Nevada Cattlemen and Cattlewomen who graze cattle on BLM permits.

With the listing of the Sage Grouse as “Not warranted” now more than ever it is imperative to establish with state and Federal Agencies that proper grazing has and can have a positive influence on the Sage Grouse Habitat. The Nevada Cattlemen’s Association in conjunction with Nevada Bureau of Land Management and the Nevada Department of Agriculture will be putting on a series of workshops around the state to have information sharing and discussion about how the Greater Sage Grouse Land Use Plan Amendment, and implementation of Table 2.2 will apply to permittees.

The series of workshops will take place as follows:

Nevada is taking a close look at water rights of use, thus now is the time to make sure your use rights are in good standing. With a shuffling of basin engineers within the Nevada Division of Water Resources, water rights are being reviewed to determine compliance!

• Are your rights of use in your name? If not, it is time to bring the ownership current as required under Nevada Law!
• If you have a permitted right, are you diligently developing your use to bring it towards certification?
• If you are not using your groundwater, are you at risk for forfeiture?
• Do you have a metering requirement? if yes, is your meter installed and are you recording monthly measurement readings?

All of these items and more are under scrutiny by the State Engineer’s office. In the last few months we have seen a number of forfeiture letters go out to unsuspecting water users, don’t let this be you! Do not wait to review your water use rights to ensure they are in compliance!

Upon facing the fourth year of consecutive drought, the Nevada Drought Forum formed in April 2015 by Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval to assist with water resource challenges in the State of Nevada. The Forum was comprised of members representing various governmental and quasi-governmental agencies in charge of managing water resources in the State. In September 2015, a Drought Summit was held at the Nevada Legislature, where those involved discussed many of the drought problems Nevada is facing, and numerous presentations were offered on these issues. At the conclusion of the Forum activities, and in December 2015, the Governor was presented with a Recommendations Report summarizing the conclusions made by the Form, and proposed future action.

The Drought Forum recommendations come in seven (7) categories including: 1) Water Conservation, 2) Nevada Water Law, 3) Monitoring and Research Data, 4) Financial and Technical Assistance, 5) Supply Augmentation and Long-Range Planning, 6) Information Sharing and Outreach, and 7) Drought Declarations/Emergency Actions. Each category offers specific suggested action items for the Governor’s consideration. Strategies include requiring meters on all groundwater connections, tiered rate structures, updates to Nevada water law, judicial education on water issues, and refinement to drought criteria, among others.

At this stage, no specific action is taking place on the issues presented; however, the conversation is started on where Nevada will head in response to ongoing drought conditions. While real action can sometimes take years to implement, the Recommendations come as a positive sign that Governor Sandoval is interested in suggested strategies advocated by water professionals around the state. There remains time for those interested in becoming involved to voice their concerns and positions with the Governor in upcoming events dedicated to this ongoing discussion.

For more information about the Governor’s Drought Form visit http://drought.nv.gov/.

For Additional information concerning the Recommendations Report visit http://drought.nv.gov/News/Nevada_Drought_Forum__Recommendations_Report_-_December_2015/.