[This article was originally published in the February, 2022 Oregon Real Estate and Land Use Digest by the Section on Real Estate and Land Use, Oregon State Bar] In Oregon, water rights must be beneficially used according to their terms at least once every five years to remain in good standing. If they are not, […]
Oregon Hydroelectric Water Right Converted Instream Read More »
The Carson Water Subconservancy District has launched their second video in their, I am Carson River Watershed Campaign series, titled “Water Connects Us All” click the link below to watch: http://iamcarsonriver.org/ For those of us in northern Nevada, the Carson River plays an important part in our communities by supporting our watershed’s environment, economy, and quality of
Carson Water Subconservancy District – Water Connects Us All Read More »
Trading Water as a Commodity Unappropriated water has long been considered a public resource. It is subject to private ownership rights and development, to be sure. But the law generally treats water differently compared to commodities like consumer goods or other natural resources like lumber. The UN recognized water’s essential role in the public commons
California’s Water Futures Trading Read More »
Nevada Division of Water Resources (“NDWR”) has drafted proposed water related regulations and the public is encouraged to get involved by attending the upcoming workshops. The draft regulations concerning water use are R169-20 (concerning extensions of time) and R170-20 (concerning Water Right Surveyor licenses). R169-20 This draft regulation proposes, among other things, to include
Nevada Water Legislation Workshops are Coming Up! Read More »
This post is one of a series highlighting the ways in which water users have adapted to life in the time of COVID-19. Shelley Roberts is the CEO of the Idaho Rural Water Association (“IRWA”). IRWA is a resource for small water systems in the State of Idaho that offers training for drinking water and
Utilities are Essential: IRWA’s Response to COVID-19 Read More »
The Slink Fire rages on in the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness Area. Meanwhile, pilots fly an imaginary line to drop water on wildfires according to wilderness laws and procedures. This raises the question, are wilderness firefighting laws protecting or harming wilderness areas? Wilderness Firefighting Laws Congress passed
Wilderness Firefighting Laws: Protect or Harm? Read More »
By Therese Ure and Lisa Mae Gage Nevada Division of Water Resources (“NDWR”) submitted draft administrative regulation amendments to the Legislative Council Bureau for this regulation cycle (the proposed amendments can be found at http://water.nv.gov/documents/NDWR_Prop_Admin_Regs-Hearings_EOT_Water_Right_Surveyor_6-8-2020.pdf ). A public workshop concerning the administrative regulation amendments was hosted by NDWR on June 24, 2020 wherein NDWR received
Nevada Division of Water Resources’ Draft Regulation Amendments Read More »
For the sixth COVID-19 webinar, paralegals Rachelq Harman, Tara Jackson, and Lisa Mae Gage will discuss the research tools and resources available on the Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR), Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD), and Nevada Division of Water Resources (NDWR) online databases. The webinar will occur in 3 parts on May 20,
Can Nevada gardeners collect rainwater? As Northern Nevada’s last frost approaches, gardeners are gearing up to transplant seedlings and get plants in the ground. However, with planting comes watering. Nevada gardeners are all too aware of this as they battle the summer heat. In a state as arid as Nevada, garden watering occurs frequently. Water
Can Nevada Gardeners Collect Rainwater? Read More »
April 22, 2020 is the 50th anniversary of the first Earth Day, a global holiday that unites citizens of the Earth to take better care of our planet. Earth Day was initially proposed by Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson as a way to bring awareness to ongoing ecological issues and concerns. It took place on April
Earth Day 2020: 50 Years of Environmental Awareness Read More »
In 2014, the Idaho Department of Water Resources (“IDWR”) proposed adjudicating water rights in the Bear River Basin in Southern Idaho. Now, nearly 6 years later, a bill that would allow IDWR to commence the adjudication is up for legislative consideration. The Idaho House of Representatives unanimously passed House Bill 382 (“HB 382”) on February
Bear River Basin Adjudication Legislature Moves Forward Read More »
By Caitlin Skulan and Lisa Mae Gage On January 31, 2020 the Nevada State Engineer Tim Wilson issued the Order of Determination of the Relative Rights in and to All Waters of the Diamond Valley Hydrographic Basin. This order is the State Engineer’s final determinations of all the vested claims to water in the Diamond
In July, 2020, attorney Laura Schroeder will hit the road and travel to Idaho to teach a series of classes on “Water Law for Utilities.” The classes are put on by the Idaho Rural Water Association (IRWA) and are approved by the State of Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses for 0.6 drinking water or wastewater
Schroeder Law Offices Heads East to Idaho for the IRWA 2020 Road Show! Read More »
On January 28, 2020, the U.S Navy will hold a public informational meeting to present their Final Environmental Impact Statement regarding potential environmental impacts of the proposed modernization of the Fallon Range Training Complex in northern Nevada. The presentation will begin at 5:00 p.m. and will also provide an opportunity for the public to provide
U.S. Navy’s Final Environmental Impact Statement Read More »
More and more in Oregon, hopeful groundwater use applicants are finding that proposed uses of groundwater are denied by the Oregon Water Resources Department due to the agency’s finding of hydraulic connection with surface water sources and the potential for groundwater use to cause substantial interference with existing surface water rights. When the agency makes
Surface-Water-to-Groundwater Transfers: Too Connected or Not Connected Enough? Read More »
Starting September 29, 2019, natural gas providers in Oregon will have a new, renewable way of powering their customers’ homes. Governor Kate Brown executed a new law at the end of July, 2019 allowing capture, treatment, and conversion of methane found in wastewater into renewable natural gas (“RNG” or “biogas”), which can then be used
S.B. 98 Broadens Ability to Turn Wastewater into Renewable Natural Gas Read More »
Reports of a broken barge lock at the Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River surfaced on September 9th. The crack was discovered last week and crews began working Monday morning on repairs. The cause of the damage is unknown. To begin the repairs, the crews must first demolish the cracked concrete section. It remains unclear,
Shipping in Pacific Northwest Halted Due to Cracked Barge Lock at Bonneville Dam Read More »
Since 1991, the Stockholm International Water Institute (“SIWI”) has organized and hosted World Water Week. This annual event is designed to bring awareness to water issues and developments around the world. This year, World Water Week takes place at the Tele2 Arena in Johanneshov, Sweden from August 25 through August 30. Throughout the week, seminars
World Water Week 2019 is Here! Read More »
Notice regarding final requests for revision of the mapping of Newlands Project Water Rights has been issued by the Nevada Division of Water Resources (“NDWR”). NDWR is overseeing the revision process of identifying and mapping water rights in the Newlands Project, and will be assisting water rights owners with identification and revision as is required.
Final Revisions Due for Newlands Project Water Rights Read More »
On July 24, 2019, Tim Wilson, Nevada Division of Water Resources’ acting State Engineer gave an informative presentation on the 2019 Legislative Session. Mr. Wilson provided summaries of several water related bills that were introduced and/or passed during this session. A few of the more interesting bills are described below. Assembly Bill 62 (AB 62)
State Engineer’s 2019 Legislative Session Recap Read More »
