(On Behalf of the Humboldt River Basin Water Authority)
January 29, 1997
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Referred to Committee on Natural Resources
SUMMARY--Requires certain recommended changes in water policy submitted to legislature to be consistent, to greatest extent practicable, with state water plan and certain master plans of cities and counties. (BDR 48-560)
FISCAL NOTE: Effect on Local Government: No.
Effect on the State or on Industrial Insurance: No.
EXPLANATION - Matter in italics is new; matter in brackets [ ] is material to be omitted.
AN ACT relating to water resources; requiring certain recommended changes in water policy submitted to the legislature by the division of water planning of the state department of conservation and natural resources to be consistent, to the greatest extent practicable, with the plan developed by the division for the use of water resources within this state and the provisions of certain master plans of cities or counties relating to the conservation, development and use of water or underground water; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
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Section 1 NRS 540.051 is hereby amended to read as follows:
540.051 The division shall:
1. Provide political subdivisions and private enterprises in arid regions with information, alternatives and recommendations bearing upon regional shortages of water including feasible selections or courses of planning and action for acquiring additional water or for conserving water now available, or both.
2. Include in its planning:
(a) The investigation of new sources of water such as desalinization, importation and conservation, and means of transporting existing water;
(b) Recognition and protection of existing water rights consistent with chapters 533 and 534 of NRS; and
(c) Consideration of the factors relating to the quality of water in this state and the importance of considering the issues of quantity and quality simultaneously, but the state environmental commission and division of environmental protection of the state department of conservation and natural resources retain full responsibility for the management of water quality.
3. Evaluate previous studies and compile existing information to assist in determining the suitability of potential sites as facilities for the storage of water upstream.
4. Develop forecasts of supply and demand for future needs.
5. Advise the state department of conservation and natural resources and the legislature concerning economic and social effects of water policy.
6. [Suggest] Recommend to the legislature changes in water policy which may be necessary to meet new requirements of law or of the people of the state. A recommendation submitted pursuant to this subsection must, to the greatest extent practicable, be consistent with:
(a) The plan for the use of water resources within this state developed pursuant to the provisions of NRS 540.101; and
(b) The provisions of any master plan required by NRS 278.150 which relate to the conservation, development and use of water or underground water.
7. Cooperate with the state engineer in dealings with the Federal Government and other states, but the state engineer is solely responsible for the allocation of water resources and litigation.
8. Provide the board for financing water projects and the director of the department of business and industry with necessary technical and clerical assistance in financing water projects.
Sec. 2 This act becomes effective upon passage and approval.