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Elko County asks state engineer to reconsider 2023 groundwater relinquishment in Dixie Creek basin
Summary
The commission approved a resolution asking the Nevada State Engineer to review and reverse the March 2023 relinquishment of roughly 5,400–5,500 acre-feet of groundwater rights by Nevada State Lands in the Dixie 10-mile basin and requested cancellation of unused rights under NRS 533.395.
The Elko County Commission approved a resolution requesting that the Nevada State Engineer reconsider and reverse a March 2023 relinquishment of roughly 5,400–5,500 acre-feet of groundwater rights that Nevada State Lands had held in the Dixie 10-mile hydrographic basin, and to evaluate cancellation of unused water rights under NRS 533.395. The resolution asks the state to re-examine whether the relinquishment should stand and to make water available for beneficial use in basins the commission described as over-appropriated.
Commissioners and the resolution sponsor debated whether the draft should be streamlined but ultimately approved the text at this meeting; public commenters including Cliff Gardner offered to provide scientific and historical data to support the county's request. Staff advised that the resolution should be sent certified to ensure the state engineer receives it and to ask for a response or presentation from the state engineer's office.
