Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Water Transfer topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Lyon County tables recommendation on Yerington request to temporarily redirect water for Libra Solar
Summary
Residents voiced widespread opposition and demanded environmental information; the Board of Commissioners voted to table its non‑binding recommendation on Yerington’s temporary transfer request until the second December/January meeting so more data and outreach can be provided.
The Lyon County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 4 voted to table a non‑binding recommendation to the State Engineer on a City of Yerington application (No. 94668) to temporarily change the place and manner of use for a portion of permit 65299. The request would allow trucking of water to a construction site associated with the Libra Solar project for dust suppression and grading while on‑site wells are pursued.
Interim Yerington city manager Jerry Bryant said the request is a one‑year, regenerative lease that would leave ownership of the water rights with the city. "We are not giving up our water rights. We are simply leasing them for a year on this application," Bryant said.
But dozens of local residents opposed the transfer in public comment. Speakers described recent local fish kills, concerns about water‑quality impacts from prior mining (Anaconda), the basin’s over‑appropriated status and a lack of accessible environmental reviews. Sherry M. Smith told commissioners she did not believe the claim the use was regenerative and said the county and public had not received sufficient information to judge potential impacts.
Commissioners said they wanted more detail and more outreach to residents before making a recommendation. Commissioner Jacobson asked whether Yerington had held a public meeting on the request; Bryant replied the city had placed the item on a prior council agenda in late July or early August and had approved moving forward before pursuing lease negotiations. The board tabled the matter to the second meeting in January to allow the city to collect and provide additional materials and to allow more public engagement.
Because the county’s role is advisory — the State Engineer approves transfers — the board’s action does not approve or deny the state filing; it pauses Lyon County’s recommendation while residents and officials gather more information and clarifications.
