Jeff Fontaine

Click here to see the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s April 1st snow survey and streamflow forecasts.

AB354 and AB356 will be heard by the Assembly Natural Resources Committee on Monday April 5th beginning at 4:00pm.  AB354 authorizes the creation of water banks and AB356 creates a water conservation program for water rights that are used for irrigation.  CNRWA is concerned that these bills could result in harm member counties as they undermine prior appropriation and facilitate out-of-basin transfers favoring development in urban areas at the expense of agriculture.  The State Engineer is working to prepare amendments to both of the bills to acknowledge the discussions and concerns expressed by stakeholders. However, the amendments have not yet been made available.

Click here for information on how to provide public testimony during the hearing and/or written comments.

Assembly Bill 354 and AB356 were introduced in the Assembly Ways and Means Committee on Monday March 22nd. Both bills were requested by the Division of Water Resources. AB354 authorizes the creation and sets forth the authority and duties of certain water banks and requires the State Engineer to submit a biennial report to the Legislature related to water banks. AB356 creates and sets forth the requirements for the Program for the Conservation of Water and creates the Account for Purchasing and Retiring Water Rights and authorizes the State Engineer to purchase and retire certain water rights with money from the Account. Neither bill has been scheduled for a hearing.

SB155 will be heard by the Senate Committee on Natural Resources on Thursday March 18th. The Committee hearing begins at 3:30 p.m. SB155 changes the title of the executive head of the Division of Water Resources from the State Engineer to the Administrator and the the name of the Office of the State Engineer to the Division of Water Resources. It also revises the qualifications for the executive head of the Division of Water Resources to require that the Administrator: (1) be experienced and competent in water resource management and conservation; (2) have the demonstrated ability to administer a major public agency; and (3) with limited exception, be a licensed professional engineer with skill and experience in water-related engineering. It further provides that the person appointed as Administrator is not required to be such a licensed engineer if: (1) a deputy administrator of the Division is a licensed professional engineer with skill and experience in water-related engineering; and (2) the person has the theoretical knowledge, practical experience and technical skills necessary for the position. Information on how you can watch the Committee hearing and also provide testimony can be found here.

Assembly Bill (AB) 146 will heard by the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources on Wednesday March 17th. The Committee hearing begins at 4 p.m. AB146 requires the State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to establish a program regulating water pollution resulting from diffuse sources. Information on how you can watch the Committee hearing and also provide testimony can be found here.

For the latest Natural Resources Conservation Service Nevada Outlook Report & Streamflow Forecasts click here.