Douglas County planning commissioners delete draft policy on county acquisition of water rights after heated debate

Douglas County planning commissioners voted 7-0 on Nov. 4 to remove a proposed master-plan policy that would have directed the county to “acquire groundwater and surface water rights.” The commission agreed the policy, as written, was too broad and raised legal and operational questions about who could acquire water rights and whether the county should be open to buying and selling those rights.

The discussion began after commissioners reviewed Goal 4 language and moved into a focused debate on Policy 4, which used the word “acquire.” Commissioners and staff said the term was ambiguous and could be read as authorization for the county to buy water on the open market and re‑sell it. “If we start sending it to Silver City or whatever up that way, I mean, it’s only gonna tap our groundwater worse,” Commissioner Brian said during the meeting. “It’s not something…