The Lyon County Board of Commissioners voted 5-0 Oct. 16 to ask the Nevada State Engineer to deny a series of applications filed by the Walker Basin Conservancy to change the point of diversion, place and manner of use for water rights in the East Walker River.

Andrew Haskin, Lyon County manager, briefed the board on Application Nos. 94586 through 94588, filed July 9, 2025, by Walker Basin Conservancy. Haskin said the existing places of use are within Lyon County while the proposed places of use would be partly within Mineral County, and that the Rocker River Irrigation District had filed a protest.

"My recommendation would be to take a similar action at this time and recommend denial until that protest can be resolved," Haskin said.

Commissioner Hockaday moved to recommend denial of the applications and directed the county manager to send a letter to the state engineer describing the county's reasons; Commissioner Casanelli seconded. The motion passed 5-0.

Why it matters: Applications that change point of diversion or place of use for adjudicated rights can affect downstream water availability and local land uses. The county's formal recommendation and a lodged protest create an administrative record the State Engineer may consider when deciding whether to approve the requested changes.

The board did not adopt a finding on the merits of the conservancy's claims; rather, it recommended denial pending resolution of the protest filed by the irrigation district and asked staff to transmit the county's objections in writing to the State Engineer.