Over the past five weeks, we have described the wide range of water resources available to meet Arizona’s current and future needs. These resources include groundwater, in-state surface water, Colorado River water, long-term storage credits, and reclaimed water. We also discussed the latest developments on groundwater availability in the Phoenix Active Management Area. As these […]
It seems that not a day goes by without another news story bringing Arizona to the forefront of a national dialogue about water security in a time of drought, changing climate, and growing population. This article is Part 6 of Snell & Wilmer’s series providing context for that dialogue as it applies to Arizona’s diverse […]
While the local and national press inundate us with articles about the dire nature of Arizona’s water supplies and questions about why people are even allowed to live in a desert, careful planning by water leaders over decades has created resilient responses to these challenges that are unmatched in the Southwest and perhaps the nation. […]
In September, the Utah State Engineer’s Office adopted a new Groundwater Management Plan for the Snyderville Basin and Park City. The new Management Plan affects, among others, those considering purchasing water rights, changing existing water rights, or pursuing new development in the Snyderville Basin. A new article in Utah Business by Graham Gilbert discusses how […]
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by Anthony W. Merrill Recently, the United States Supreme Court agreed to consider whether liability under the Clean Water Act (“CWA”) extends to pollution traveling through groundwater prior to reaching federally regulated water. The Court’s decision may drastically redefine the scope of the CWA, impacting permitting across the country. The potential implications for regulated parties […]
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by L. William Staudenmaier On March 7, 2017, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued its decision in Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians v. Coachella Valley Water District, Case No. 15-55896. In this decision, the Court unequivocally held that under the well-established “Winters doctrine,” federal reserved water rights for an Indian reservation extend to […]
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by Christopher W. Payne The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals will soon determine whether the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians has a federal reserved right to groundwater in a water rights case that could set a precedent for tribes across the West. The case is entitled Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians v. Coachella […]
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