NRS 534.050
Permit to appropriate water required before sinking well in designated groundwater basin

  • requirements in undesignated areas
  • waivers
  • penalties.

1.

Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2 and NRS 534.180, every person desiring to sink or bore a well in any basin or portion therein in the State designated by the State Engineer, as provided for in this chapter, must first make application to and obtain from the State Engineer a permit to appropriate the water, pursuant to the provisions of chapter 533 of NRS relating to the appropriation of the public waters, before performing any work in connection with the boring or sinking of the well.

2.

Upon written application and a showing of good cause, the State Engineer may issue a written waiver of the requirements of subsection 1:

(a)

For exploratory wells to be drilled to determine the availability of water or the quality of available water;

(b)

To allow temporary use of the water in constructing a highway or exploring for water, oil, gas, minerals or geothermal resources; or

(c)

For wells to be drilled in shallow groundwater systems and pumped to alleviate potential hazards to persons and property resulting from the rise of groundwater caused by secondary recharge. If practical, approved by the State Engineer and consistent with this chapter and chapter 533 of NRS, the withdrawn water must be used for some other beneficial use.

3.

In other basins or portions of basins which have not been designated by the State Engineer no application or permit to appropriate water is necessary until after the well is sunk or bored and water developed. Before any diversion of water may be made from the well, the appropriator must make application to and obtain from the State Engineer, pursuant to the provisions of chapter 533 of NRS, a permit to appropriate the water.

4.

Upon written application and a showing of good cause, the State Engineer may issue a written waiver of the requirements of subsection 3, to allow temporary use of water in constructing a highway or exploring for water, oil, gas, minerals or geothermal resources.

5.

Any person using water after a permit has been withdrawn, denied, cancelled, revoked or forfeited is guilty of a misdemeanor. Each day of violation of this subsection constitutes a separate offense and is separately punishable.

Source: Section 534.050 — Permit to appropriate water required before sinking well in designated groundwater basin; requirements in undesignated areas; waivers; penalties., https://www.­leg.­state.­nv.­us/NRS/NRS-534.­html#NRS534Sec050.

534.010
Definitions.
534.011
“Area of active management” defined.
534.012
“Artesian well” defined.
534.013
“Domestic use” and “domestic purposes” defined.
534.014
“Person” defined.
534.015
“Recharged water” defined.
534.016
“Stored water” defined.
534.017
“Well driller” defined.
534.020
Underground waters belong to public and are subject to appropriation for beneficial use
534.025
Removal of underground waters to alleviate hazards caused by secondary recharge is beneficial use.
534.030
Administration by State Engineer: Petition by appropriators in basin
534.035
Groundwater boards: Establishment
534.037
Groundwater management plan for basin designated as critical management area: Petition
534.040
Employment and compensation of well supervisor and assistants
534.050
Permit to appropriate water required before sinking well in designated groundwater basin
534.060
Conditions for sinking wells
534.065
Replacement well: Application to change place of diversion not required in certain circumstances
534.070
Waste of water from artesian well unlawful.
534.090
Forfeiture and abandonment of rights.
534.100
Recognition of existing water rights
534.0105
“Aquifer” defined.
534.110
Rules and regulations of State Engineer
534.0115
“Area of hydrologic effect” defined.
534.120
State Engineer authorized to make rules, regulations and orders when groundwater is being depleted in designated area
534.125
State Engineer to file notice related to temporary permit.
534.0125
“Augmentation” defined.
534.130
State Engineer, assistants and Artesian Well Supervisor authorized to enter premises to investigate and carry out duties.
534.0135
“Percolating waters” defined.
534.140
Well drillers: Annual licenses
534.141
Application for renewal of license must include certain information regarding state business license
534.142
Payment of child support: Statement by applicant for license to drill
534.144
Suspension of license for failure to pay child support or comply with certain subpoenas or warrants
534.0145
“Project” defined.
534.146
Application for license to include social security number of applicant.
534.150
Well Drillers’ Advisory Board: Appointment
534.0155
“Storage account” defined.
534.160
License required to drill well
534.0165
“Waste” defined.
534.170
Well driller to keep log and records
534.0175
“Well drilling” and “drilling a well” defined.
534.180
Applicability of chapter to wells used for domestic purposes
534.185
Waiver of certain requirements for domestic wells by State Engineer
534.190
Penalties.
534.193
Additional penalties.
534.195
Injunctive and other relief.
534.250
Project for recharge, storage and recovery of water: Permit required
534.260
Project for recharge, storage and recovery of water: Contents of application for permit.
534.270
Project for recharge, storage and recovery of water: Review of application for permit
534.280
Project for recharge, storage and recovery of water: Annual report to State Engineer.
534.290
Project for recharge, storage and recovery of water: Permit for recovery well
534.300
Project for recharge, storage and recovery of water: Storage account to be established
534.310
Project for recharge, storage and recovery of water: Annual fee for permit
534.320
Project for recharge, storage and recovery of water: Revocation or suspension of permit
534.330
Project for recharge, storage and recovery of water: Penalties.
534.340
Project for recharge, storage and recovery of water: Designation of areas of active management.
534.350
Requirements for certain public water system to receive credits for addition of new customers to system.
534.360
Water Rights Technical Support Account: Creation
534.1405
Well drillers: Petition for review of criminal history to obtain license
Last Updated

Feb. 5, 2021

§ 534.050’s source at nv​.us