Latest Water rights News
New Mexico's US senators propose protecting Gila River
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Portions of the Gila River would be protected as wild and scenic under legislation proposed by U.S. Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich. The New Mexico Democrats are seeking public comments as they draft the measure. They have posted online a summary of the legislation along with...
Emergency water rights bill heads to Idaho governor's desk
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Legislation granting an emergency water right when crews are trying to clean up spills in Idaho waterways passed the House on Tuesday and is headed to the governor's desk. The House voted 70-0 to approve the measure the state Department of Environmental Quality says is needed to prevent...
Governor: New Mexico needs realistic, sustainable water plan
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has long talked about the importance of water to the arid state, even campaigning on the idea of creating a 50-year plan to guide management of the finite resource. Her administration is now asking lawmakers for more money and manpower to...
Idaho Senate OKs emergency water rights to clean up spills
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Legislation granting an emergency water right when crews are trying to clean up spills in Idaho waterways headed to lawmakers in the House on Monday. The Senate voted 35-0 to approve the legislation that the state Department of Environmental Quality said is needed to prevent someone...
Bill would require Arizona tribes to resolve water disputes
PHOENIX (AP) — Republican legislative leaders have introduced legislation to require Native American tribes in Arizona to resolve longstanding water disputes with the state before negotiating new gambling pacts. Cosponsors of the legislation, House Bill 244 7, include House Speaker Rusty Bowers, R-Mesa,...
Lawmakers eye emergency water rights for cleaning up spills
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Emergency crews pulling contaminated water from rivers after such things as tanker trunk crashes is standard cleanup practice in Idaho. But removing that water could be violating the state's strict water-rights laws where water distribution is closely monitored. So lawmakers on Monday...
Reno housing developers seek end to groundwater pumping ban
RENO, Nev. (AP) — Developers are asking a Nevada judge to overturn a moratorium on new groundwater pumping north of Reno that critics say are hampering efforts to build homes to help address the region's housing crisis. The state engineer ordered a halt to new pumping in December in Cold Springs Valley...
Marijuana farms may be straining New Mexico water supplies
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — More medical marijuana plants are being grown in New Mexico than ever, and the crop could be straining local water supplies. Two rural water systems in Sandoval County say the crop may be depleting local water supplies, and they say they have been left powerless to stop it, the...
LOADING MORE STORIES
