Record low snow accumulation and warm temperatures in Western river basins raise concern about water supply in the Western U.S.[1]. The future of the Colorado River Basin, one of the most contested water resources in the nation, impacts over 5 million acres of agricultural land and drinking water for a population of over 40 million. […]
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Have You Heard of Nevada Water? Nevada Water, through the University of Nevada at Reno, is a network comprised of many organizations statewide. They have the common goal of bringing water education to everyone from students to leaders. Nevada is the driest state in the country. The population is growing fast so that changes in
Nevada Passes Two New Bills Combatting Water Scarcity Throughout the State In June, 2025, Nevada’s Governor, Joe Lombardo, signed two new bills creating a voluntary Water Rights retirement Program. These are Assembly Bill 104 (A.B. 104) and Senate Bill 36 (S.B. 36). As a result, the Nevada Voluntary Water Rights Retirement Program was officially established.
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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
Corner Crossing to the Supreme Court? Read More »
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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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
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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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
2025 Legislative Session & Nevada Water Law Read More »
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
Nilometer: A Key Water Guage in Egypt Read More »
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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Integrated Water Resources Strategy: Oregon IWRS IWRS means Oregon’s statewide Integrated Water Resources Strategy. On November 12, 2024, six Oregon departments hosted a public meeting to discuss IWRS priorities for the next five to 7 years. Sponsoring departments included: Over 50 people attended both online and in person in Salem, including Schroeder Law Offices, to
On September 17th, 2024, the Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) implemented new groundwater rules that have sparked significant debate. While these rules aim to promote sustainable water use, they also raise several concerns that merit discussion. Arbitrary Power and Political Influence One of the primary criticisms of the new groundwater rules is that they grant
New Groundwater Rules in Oregon: a Critical Perspective Read More »
At Schroeder Law Offices we are dedicated to providing exceptional service to our clients. Leveraging advanced technology like TABS3, NetDocuments, Zoom, and Microsoft 365 helps us achieve this goal. They streamline our operations and enhance client satisfaction. TABS3: Leveraging Technology in Practice Management TABS3 is a comprehensive practice management software that benefits clients in several
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The United States Committee for Irrigation and Drainage (USCID) fall conference registration is now open. www.uscid.org As the current president of this organization, I’m letting my “friends of Schroeder Law Offices” know what we are up to when not working in the office representing our clients. What is USCID? The USCID is a non-profit organization
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A discussion of what to look for in a water attorney in Oregon.
Oregon Water Attorney Read More »
The Clean Water Act’s extension of what waters it attempts to regulate is leaves WOTUS a confusing legacy. Does it apply to wetlands? If so, what if wetlands stand alone and don’t adjoin navigable waterways?
WOTUS: a Confusing Legacy Read More »
