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.
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Water Bank and Conservation Bills introduced in the Nevada Legislature
March 24th, 2021 by Jeff FontaineSB155 which revises the name and qualifications of the executive head of the Division of Water Resources to be heard March 18
March 16th, 2021 by Jeff FontaineSB155 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.
AB 146 relating to diffuse sources of water pollution to be heard March 17
March 16th, 2021 by Jeff FontaineAssembly 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.
The March NRCS Nevada Water Supply Outlook Report is now available online
March 5th, 2021 by Jeff FontaineFor the latest Natural Resources Conservation Service Nevada Outlook Report & Streamflow Forecasts click here.
Supreme Court issues Advance Opinion in Pahrump Fair Water Case
February 25th, 2021 by Jeff FontaineThe Nevada Supreme Court on February 25th issued an Advance Opinion reversing the district court’s decision, which invalidated Order #1293A issued by the State Engineer that required the relinquishment of two acre-feet of water rights for every new domestic well drilled.
Nevada Supreme Court to conduct public hearing March 3rd to consider the creation of a Commission to Study the Adjudication of Water Law Cases in Nevada’s Courts
February 25th, 2021 by Jeff FontaineThe Nevada Supreme Court will conduct a hearing on the petition filed by James W. Hardesty, Chief Justice requesting that the Nevada Supreme Court consider creating a Commission to Study the Adjudication of Water Law Cases in Nevada’s Courts. The public hearing will be held March 3, 2021 at 3:00 pm. Click here to see the Order and information on how to participate in the hearing and how to submit written comments.
