The Nature Conservancy Commends Passage of Groundwater Bill
After passing unanimously in the Assembly and Senate, Senate Bill 140 (SB 140), which sets aside 10 percent of uncommitted groundwater as a reserve, was signed into law yesterday by Gov. Steve Sisolak. The Nature Conservancy in Nevada is focused on protecting water for the environment and applauds the legislature and Governor for taking this innovative step toward conserving water for communities, for the environment, and for the future.
The bill, informally referred to as a “reserve water” bill, requires the State Engineer to reserve 10 percent of the total remaining uncommitted groundwater in hydrographic (administrative groundwater unit) basins that are not fully appropriated from being appropriated for any use. Nevada is the driest state in the nation, and many of the state’s 256 basins are over-appropriated beyond their perennial yield (the amount of groundwater that can be consumed each year without depleting the groundwater aquifer).
“Because the reserve water will not be appropriated, it will allow for a ‘rainy day fund’ for basins in times of water scarcity and drought,” said Laurel Saito Ph.D., TNC’s Nevada Water Program Director. “This buffer within the amount of groundwater available for use will help protect both water rights holders and the state’s many natural ecosystems that depend on groundwater.”
SB 140 has important implications for Nevada water law, and can also serve as a model for how other western states can defend both water rights holders and the environment. According to Doug Busselman, Executive Vice President of the Nevada Farm Bureau Federation, “This bill is a good idea for Nevada because it recognizes existing water law and prior appropriation and reserves water in basins not already fully appropriated.”
“Water is a public resource, and ultimately a resource that needs to be preserved for future generations of people and nature,” said Rick Felling, retired Deputy Administrator of the Nevada Division of Water Resources. “Not fully developing the resource gives some room to maneuver, ensures the integrity of the water rights system, and protects water rights holders and the environment.”
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About The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy advances conservation in 72 countries spanning six continents. The mission of The Nature Conservancy is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends.