Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Water Rights topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee briefed on Railroad Valley temporary water-right change and recent water filings
Summary
The committee reviewed a temporary change application to move an existing mining/milling water right in Railroad Valley to dissolve-mineral exploration wells, and RCI highlighted recent filings including a 3.74-acre-foot irrigation application at Fitzhugh Creek.
White Pine County’s Natural Resources Advisory Committee heard a presentation on Jan. 20 about a temporary water-right change related to mining operations in Railroad Valley and a staff review of recent Division of Water Resources filings.
Jay Dixon (via Teams) explained the temporary change application stems from a previously permitted mining and milling water right at the north end of Railroad Valley that the applicant seeks to move temporarily to dissolved mineral exploration wells to avoid plugging them after two years. Dixon said the dissolved mineral exploration process allows pumping of 5.0 acre-feet; he said 5.37 acre-feet had been split among three exploration wells drilled since 2020. "He explained that he had applied for a temporary change on an existing mining and milling water right at the north end of Railroad Valley," the meeting minutes record.
Jeremy Drew of Resource Concepts, Inc. reviewed Division of Water Resources filings for November and December 2025 and highlighted application 94807 at Fitzhugh Creek for 3.74 acre-feet of irrigation water, described as replacing a cancelled right tied to a property purchase error. Drew recommended County review and noted that notification of affected counties is required for changes involving points of diversion and place of use.
