NRS 538.600
California-Nevada Interstate Compact: Ratification and approval
- text.
1.
There is hereby created an interstate compact commission to be designated as the California-Nevada Compact Commission herein referred to as the commission.2.
The commission shall consist of five members from each state and one member as representative of the United States chosen by the President of the United States who is hereby requested to appoint such a representative. The United States member shall be ex officio chairman of the commission without vote and shall not be a domiciliary of or reside in either state.(a)
The California members of the commission shall consist of the Director of the Department of Water Resources of the State of California, and four (4) members appointed by the Governor of California, all of whom shall be residents of the State of California. One of the four members so appointed shall be a resident of the Lake Tahoe Basin, one shall be a resident of the Truckee River Basin, one shall be a resident of the Walker River Basin and one shall be a resident of the Carson River Basin.(b)
The Nevada members of the commission shall consist of the State Engineer of the State of Nevada (who additionally shall represent all Nevada areas not otherwise represented as herein provided), and four (4) members appointed by the Governor of Nevada, each of whom shall be a resident of the State of Nevada and represent a specific area therein as below defined, provided that the Governor shall not appoint any person a member of such commission if he determines that such person has a conflicting interest in California. One of the four members so appointed shall be a resident real property owner within and represent the Reno-Sparks metropolitan area (including adjacent agricultural area) and be fully qualified by knowledge and experience in connection with the water requirements and supply for such area; the other three members so appointed shall be representative of the common interest and goals of all water users of the area and each shall have broad practical experience in water management, and one shall be a resident real property owner within and represent the Walker River Basin in Nevada, another shall be a resident real property owner within and represent the Carson River Basin in Nevada upstream from Lahontan Reservoir, and the third shall be a resident real property owner within and represent the area within the Truckee-Carson Irrigation District in Nevada.3.
The term of office of the four members of the commission appointed by each Governor shall be four (4) years. The Governor of each state, upon appointment of the first members of the commission, shall designate one member of the commission to serve for a period of one year, one member to serve for a period of two years, one member to serve for a period of three years, and one member to serve for a period of four years. Thereafter, members shall be appointed for the regular term of four years as the terms expire.4.
Interim vacancy, for whatever cause, in the office of any member of the commission shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as hereinabove provided for regular appointment.5.
The appointed members of the California-Nevada Compact Commission shall be designated within ninety (90) days after the effective date of the compact. Within thirty (30) days after such members have been appointed and the federal representative designated, the commission shall meet and organize.1.
The salaries and the personal expenses of each member of the commission shall be paid by the government he represents. All other expenses which are incurred by the commission incident to the administration of this compact and which are not paid by the United States or by other funds received by the commission shall be borne equally by the two states.2.
The commission shall adopt a budget covering the commission’s estimate of its expenses for each of the following two fiscal years; provided, that whenever the legislatures of both states appropriate funds on an annual basis the commission shall submit its budget on such annual basis. The commission shall submit said budget to the Governors of the two states for joint review and approval and to the President of the United States at the earliest date prescribed by the two states for submission of proposed budgets. Each state shall appropriate one-half of the funds necessary to meet said budget requirements, which appropriations shall be made available to the commission as of July 1 of each fiscal year for such fiscal year’s operations. All unexpended and unencumbered funds from such appropriations shall be returned by the commission in equal proportions to the states to the credit of the state fund from which said appropriation was made. All receipts and disbursements of funds handled by the commission shall be subject to a joint audit by the states and the report of said audit shall be included, and become a part of the annual report of the commission.3.
The commission shall not pledge the credit of any government except by and with the authority of the legislative body thereof given pursuant to and in keeping with the Constitution of said government. The commission shall not incur any obligations prior to the availability of funds adequate to meet the same.4.
The commission shall make and transmit to the Legislature and Governor of each state and to the President of the United States an annual report covering the finances and activities of the commission and embodying such plans, recommendations and findings as may have been adopted by the commission.1.
A quorum for any meeting of the commission shall consist of six members of the commission, provided that at least three members are present from each state.2.
All meetings of the commission for the consideration of and action on any matters coming before the commission, except matters involving the management of internal affairs of the commission and its staff, or involving litigation in which the commission is a party, shall be open to the public. Matters coming within the exception of this paragraph may be considered and acted upon by the commission in executive session under such rules and regulations as the commission may see fit to establish.3.
Each state shall have but one vote and every decision, authorization, determination, order or other action shall require the concurring votes of both states, provided that no state shall vote on any action without the concurring vote of not less than three members of the commission from such state.1.
Adopt, amend and revoke bylaws, rules and regulations and prescribe procedures for administration of the provisions of this compact.2.
Establish such offices as it deems necessary, and acquire and hold property either by purchase, lease or otherwise as may be necessary for the performance of its functions under this compact.3.
Employ engineering, legal, clerical and other aid as in its judgment may be necessary for the performance of its functions. Such employees shall be paid by and be responsible to the commission and shall not be considered to be employees of either state. The commission may establish workmen’s compensation benefits directly or by insurance. The commission is authorized to contribute to the cost of health and accident insurance for its employees to the same extent as either state contributes to the cost of such insurance for its employees.4.
Perform all functions required of it by this compact and to do all things necessary, proper or convenient in the performance of its duties hereunder, either independently or in cooperation with any state, federal or local agency or other entity or person.5.
Make such findings as are pertinent to this compact including but not limited to findings as to the quantities of water being used in either state, the amount of water available for use pursuant to the allocations made herein, and each state’s share of the waters allocated.6.
Install and maintain measuring devices of a type or types approved by the commission in any stream, lake, reservoir, ditch, pumping station or other diversion works on the Truckee, Carson or Walker Rivers or on Lake Tahoe, or on waters tributary thereto, or to require water users at their expense to install and maintain measuring devices, as the commission may determine necessary or proper to carry out the purposes or provisions of this compact. The execution and enforcement of such requirements concerning such measuring devices as shall be enacted by the commission shall be accomplished by the commission directly, or by such federal, state, local or other official or person as the commission may delegate, or by any other agency responsible to or representing a federal court.7.
Accept gifts of money or real property or anything of value.8.
Appoint a hearing examiner or examiners who may be members of the commission to conduct hearings and to make recommendations to the commission on any matter requiring a hearing and decision by the commission.9.
Obtain a right of access to all properties in the Lake Tahoe, Truckee River, Carson River and Walker River Basins whenever necessary for the purpose of administration of this compact. The commission may obtain a court order to enforce this right of access.10.
Take such action as it deems appropriate for the enforcement of the provisions of this compact.11.
Administer oaths or affirmations and to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents by the use of subpoena which may be served anywhere within the territorial limits of the United States; said power to administer oaths and affirmations and to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents by the use of subpoena may also be exercised by any hearing examiner appointed as provided in subsection 8 of this Section D.12.
Contract with the appropriate agency of either state, including the retirement system, to provide retirement and other benefits to commission employees.1.
The right to divert within the Truckee River Basin in California 10,000 acre-feet of water per calendar year which may be stored in reservoirs at times when the flow in the channel of the Truckee River at the United States Geological Survey Gauging Station at or near the California-Nevada state line exceeds 500 cubic feet per second; provided that such diversions shall not in the aggregate exceed 2,500 acre-feet in any calendar month and the amount of such storage in any one reservoir, except Donner Lake, shall not exceed 500 acre-feet of active storage capacity.2.
The amount of water as decreed to the Sierra Valley Water Company by judgment in the case of United States vs. Sierra Valley Water Company, United States District Court for the Northern District of California, Civil No. 5597, as limited by said judgment.3.
Six thousand acre-feet of water annually from the conservation yield of Stampede Reservoir having a storage capacity of 225,000 acre-feet, subject to the execution of a contract or contracts therefor with the United States of America. California may divert all or any portion of said 6,000 acre-feet of conservation yield from Stampede Reservoir directly or by exchanges from any source on the Truckee River or its tributaries or from Lake Tahoe. California shall be allowed to deplete this allocation; provided, that in ascertaining the amount of depletion, credit for return flow shall be limited to the amounts of water which can be measured as a contribution to the Truckee River system.4.
If and when the water allocated to California in subparagraphs 1 and 3 of this section and in Article V is being used, or such use appears imminent, the commission shall permit California to develop additional yields of water for use in California, either directly or by exchange subject to the following limitations:(a)
All existing beneficial uses of water for domestic, municipal, industrial, and agricultural purposes in Nevada as determined by Nevada law as of that time together with the yield of Stampede Reservoir in excess of 6,000 acre-feet shall be recognized and not impaired by the development of such additional yield.(b)
Additional yields developed for use in California shall be limited to an amount not to exceed an aggregate of 10,000 acre-feet annually, and such development shall be for domestic, municipal, and industrial uses solely. California shall be allowed to deplete this allocation; provided, that in ascertaining the amount of depletion, credit for return flow shall be limited to the amounts of water which can be measured as a contribution to the Truckee River system.(c)
The right of the commission to permit Nevada to share in such additional yield upon participation by Nevada in bearing a proportionate cost of developing such additional yield.1.
The right to divert from the natural flow of the West Fork Carson River and its tributaries for existing nonirrigation uses, and for direct irrigation use commencing on March 15 and ending on October 31 of each year on presently irrigable lands determined to be approximately 5,600 acres, an aggregate flow of water equal to a 30-day average of 3 c.f.s. per 100 acres or 168 c.f.s. for the area as a whole; provided that the 3 c.f.s. per 100-acre limitation shall not prevent greater rates of diversion for those areas which have an established greater rate of use; provided further, however, that the maximum aggregate diversion shall not exceed 185 c.f.s. measured at the points of diversion.(a)
Whenever, after the first Monday in May or any day in that week or alternate weeks thereafter of any year the flow of the West Fork of the Carson River at said western boundary shall have fallen below 175 cubic feet per second, then, until October 31 next, water users in California who divert from the West Fork of the Carson River downstream from said western boundary shall rotate all or any portion of the natural flow of the West Fork of the Carson River necessary to satisfy the demand of Nevada lands with water users in Nevada every other week beginning with the week following that in which water is used in Nevada, and during each rotation period said California users shall be entitled to divert the natural flow of the West Fork of the Carson River during their rotation weeks.(b)
Rotation between water users in California and Nevada on the West Fork of the Carson River may be terminated in whole or in part upon approval of the commission for such termination, upon provision being made so that sufficient water is available by storage or exchange to assure that the water users in Nevada will receive at the same time the flow of water which would have been available to the Nevada water users under rotation.(c)
Stock water, domestic water, and water for fire protection purposes may be diverted downstream from said western boundary from the natural flow of the West Fork of the Carson River at all times by owners of irrigation water rights in California whose lands are contiguous to the West Fork of the Carson River; provided, however, that such diversion shall be limited to the amounts actually required to deliver water for such purposes, and any excess over the amount so diverted shall be returned to the West Fork of the Carson River whenever practicable. Water diverted under this provision shall not be converted to any other use. The commission or its designee shall rule on any challenge relative to the necessity and amount of water required for such purposes.2.
The right to divert from the natural flow of the East Fork Carson River and its tributaries for existing nonirrigation uses, and for direct irrigation use commencing on March 15 and ending on October 31 of each year on presently irrigable lands determined to be approximately 3,820 acres, an aggregate flow of water equal to a 30-day average of 3 c.f.s. per 100 acres or 115 c.f.s. for the area as a whole; provided that the 3 c.f.s. per 100-acre limitation shall not prevent greater rates of diversion for those areas which have an established greater rate of use; provided further, however, that the maximum aggregate diversion shall not exceed 115 c.f.s. measured at the points of diversion.3.
There is allocated to the State of California the right to store 2,000 acre-feet of water per annum within Alpine County for supplemental use on presently irrigated lands within said county adverse to Lahontan Reservoir but subject to all other existing uses in Nevada. Water stored pursuant to this section remaining at the end of the year shall be deemed to have been stored in the succeeding year.1.
The right to divert water from the natural flow of the Carson River and its tributaries during the period commencing March 15 and ending October 31 of each year at the rate of 3 c.f.s. per 100 acres for use on presently irrigated lands in the area above Lahontan Reservoir determined to be approximately 41,320 acres. The rate of 3 c.f.s. per 100 acres is based on a 30-day average for the area as a whole and shall not prevent greater rates of diversion for those areas that have an established greater use; provided that the aggregate diversion measured at the points of diversion shall not exceed 700 c.f.s. on the East Fork of the Carson River, 300 c.f.s. on the West Fork of the Carson River, and 220 c.f.s. on the Main Carson River below the confluence of the East and West Forks.2.
Subject to allocations made in subsection B.1 and Section C of this article, the right to divert water from the Carson River for irrigation use either by direct diversion or by storage in Lahontan Reservoir or other existing reservoirs for use on the Newlands Project.1.
Except as the rights of the Walker River Irrigation District may be limited by subsections 2 and 3 below, the provisions of the decree in the case of United States v. Walker River Irrigation District, et al., United States District Court for the District of Nevada Equity No. C-125, filed April 15, 1936, as amended by the Order of the Honorable A.F. St. Sure, dated April 24, 1940, hereafter called Decree C-125 are hereby recognized and confirmed.2.
The rights of the Walker River Irrigation District to store water of the West Walker River in Topaz Reservoir with a storage capacity of 59,000 acre-feet, under Part VIII of Decree C-125 and under any other basis of right, and to use such water, are hereby recognized and confirmed, subject to the following:(a)
The maximum quantity of water which can be diverted annually to storage is 85,000 acre-feet. No more than 85,000 acre-feet of water less reservoir evaporation can be rediverted for use within the district annually. The 85,000 acre-feet amount so allowed to be diverted to storage and rediverted to use include water used under direct diversion rights in Decree C-125 acquired by said district prior to 1964. For the purpose of this provision “annually” means the period from November 1 through October 31 of the following year.(b)
The maximum rate of diversion to such reservoir under such rights is 1,000 c.f.s.(c)
For the purpose of determining the availability of water to satisfy rights junior to the Topaz Reservoir storage rights of the Walker River Irrigation District, or for division between the states as unused water, water which has been stored, or is available for storage in and can be physically diverted to such reservoir under such reservoir rights but is released or is allowed to pass through the reservoir and is not rediverted to use in Nevada, shall be deemed to have been held in storage; provided, that until a new major storage project is constructed on the West Walker River, the foregoing shall not apply to the extent that said district with the concurrence of the watermaster determines, prior to the release or passing through of such water from Topaz Reservoir in any year, that it is necessary to release or pass through such water in order to provide storage space in Topaz Reservoir as a means of protecting lands in Nevada against flood damage later in the year.3.
The rights of the Walker River Irrigation District to store water of the East Walker River in Bridgeport Reservoir with a storage capacity of 42,000 acre-feet, under Part VIII of Decree C-125 and under any other basis of right, and to use such water, are hereby recognized and confirmed, subject to the following:(a)
The maximum quantity of water which can be diverted to storage in any year is 57,000 acre-feet. No more than 57,000 acre-feet of water less reservoir evaporation can be rediverted for use within the district in any year. The 57,000 acre-feet amounts so allowed to be diverted to storage and rediverted to use include water used under direct diversion rights in said decree acquired by said district prior to 1964 except for water used under such rights prior to 1964 on lands owned by said district in Bridgeport Valley. For the purpose of this provision “year” means the period from November 1 of one calendar year to October 31 of the following calendar year.(b)
Water of the East Walker River and its tributaries may, adversely to the Bridgeport Reservoir storage rights hereinabove recognized and confirmed, be stored upstream from said reservoir in any year, for later use after the spring flood of the year in which the water was so stored, under rights junior to said reservoir rights; provided, that when the Walker River system is put on priority under Decree C-125 after the annual spring flood, or upon demand made prior to the spring flood for water necessary to satisfy early season demand, the watermaster shall make an accounting and water shall be released from said upstream storage in such amounts as determined by the watermaster to be necessary to satisfy said reservoir rights to the same extent as they would have been satisfied in the absence of said adverse upstream storage.4.
(a) There is allocated to each state respectively the amount of existing diversions and uses of water of the Walker River Basin diverted upstream from Weber Reservoir and not specifically covered in Decree C-125, provided, that this allocation shall not include water distributed under the historical administration of Decree C-125 in excess of the rights set forth in Decree C-125 to lands having rights thereunder. In making this allocation, it is recognized that the amounts of water allocated and the respective priorities are not presently known with certainty. The commission shall as soon as practicable after its effectuation provide for an investigation, either with its own staff or by other agencies or persons, to ascertain with certainty the amounts of water and priorities of such uses. As between the respective states, the priorities shall be determined as follows: In cases of use not under state-recognized rights, the priorities shall be the date of initiation of use; in cases of use under state-recognized rights, the priorities shall be as provided under the law of the state where the diversion is made. Upon approval by the commission, the results of the investigation shall be binding as to the allocation to each state hereunder.(b)
In addition to rights recognized in subsection A.1 of this article there is allocated to Nevada for use on the Walker River Indian Reservation a maximum of 13,000 acre-feet per year for storage in Weber Reservoir and later rediversion to use and in addition 9,450 acre-feet per year to be diverted from natural flow. Both allocations shall have a priority of 1933. The season for diversion of water to storage shall be from November 1 to October 31 of the following year. The season for diversion of water directly for use shall be from March 1 to October 31 and at a maximum rate of 60 cubic feet per second. For the purpose of determining the availability of water to satisfy rights junior to this allocation or for division between the states as unused water, water which has been stored, or which can be physically stored or diverted to use under this allocation but is released or is allowed to pass through Weber Reservoir and is not rediverted to use on the Walker River Indian Reservation, shall be deemed to have been held in storage or used; provided, that the foregoing shall not apply to the extent that the appropriate representative of said reservation with the concurrence of the watermaster determines prior to the release or passing through of such water from Weber Reservoir in any year, that it is necessary to release or pass through such water in order to provide storage space in Weber Reservoir as a means of protecting lands in Nevada against flood damage later in the year; provided, further, that the foregoing shall not apply to passage of water of inferior quality to the extent that such passage may be necessary to maintain the water of suitable quality for irrigation on said reservation as determined by the commission.5.
In addition to rights recognized in subsections A.1 and A.4(a) above, there is allocated to California water of the West Walker River as follows:(a)
When all direct diversion rights under Decree C-125 are being satisfied and simultaneously water of the West Walker River is being diverted to storage pursuant to the Topaz Reservoir storage rights recognized and confirmed in subsection 2 of this Section A, but there is not flow in excess of that required to fully satisfy Topaz Reservoir storage rights, diversions in Antelope Valley in excess of the amounts to which Antelope Valley lands are entitled under Decree C-125 shall be permitted by the watermaster for such periods and in such amounts as, in the sound professional judgment of the watermaster, will not cause, on an overall irrigation season basis, any discernible net reduction in the amount of water available to satisfy said Topaz Reservoir storage rights.(b)
Such excess diversions may be used only on Antelope Valley lands entitled to water under Decree C-125 which can be served from the ditch systems existing as of the effective date of this compact.(c)
The allocation in this subsection 5 shall terminate after construction of a new major storage project on the West Walker River upstream from Antelope Valley.1.
The term “unused water” includes all waters of the Walker River and its tributaries in excess of the amounts allocated, or required for satisfaction of rights and uses recognized and confirmed, as provided under Section A of this Article VIII, except that there shall be excluded therefrom natural flow which is not physically available above the head of Mason Valley. There is allocated to the State of California 35 percent of such unused water, and there is allocated to the State of Nevada 65 percent of such unused water. The allocation to each state provided herein in this subsection B.1 shall be equal in priority.(a)
The reregulation by storage of waters allocated for storage shall not be considered as the development of “unused water.”2.
Neither state shall be precluded from constructing works for the control, use and development of the water allocated pursuant to subsection B.1 of this article for optimum use of water.3.
While separate development may be undertaken by either state for surface storage of unused water of the West Walker River so allocated, the State Engineer of the State of Nevada and the Department of Water Resources of the State of California shall cooperate in a joint review of all potential developments of unused water of the West Walker River so allocated in subsection B.1 of this Article VIII and shall prepare and present a report of the benefits to be obtained, and other relevant data from each such development to the commission or if the commission has not yet become operative, to the joint commission which negotiated this compact, at a public hearing or hearings held at times and places within the Walker River Basin set by the commission or said joint commission.(a)
Should a separate surface storage project or projects be constructed in Nevada to develop Nevada’s share of the unused water of the West Walker River, California may thereafter store and use said unused water allocated to Nevada adverse to such Nevada storage projects, provided that, without charge to Nevada, California makes available for consumptive use in Nevada, water in the same amounts, at the same times, and in the same places as would have been available for use in Nevada from such Nevada storage projects had California not so stored and used said unused water allocated to Nevada; and provided further that Nevada shall not be deprived of water required for: (1) maintenance of a minimum reservoir level for the preservation of fish life and (2) nonconsumptive uses which are found by the commission to be in the public interest of the Walker River Basin as a whole.(b)
From time to time after construction of each surface storage project upstream from Topaz Reservoir, for development of the unused water allocated herein, the commission shall determine the amounts of water which may be diverted and used in each state pursuant to its allocation as the result of the construction and operation of such project. In making such determination the commission shall compute any increase of yield of previously constructed reservoirs which may result from operation of such project constructed to develop unused water and shall include such increase in the amounts of water which may be diverted and used in each of the two states pursuant to its allocation of unused water.4.
Return flow to the Walker River or its tributaries from any source shall be deemed to be natural flow.5.
Unused water shall be used only:(a)
Within the Walker River Basin;(b)
Within the portion of Artesia Lake Basin south of the northern township line of Tier 12 North and west of a line one mile east of the eastern range line of Range 23 East, Mount Diablo Base Line and Meridian;(c)
Within the portion of Mason Valley and Adrian Valley south of the northern township line of Tier 15 North, Mount Diablo Base Line;(d)
Within the area tributary to Topaz Lake; or(e)
Any combination of the above areas.1.
A single watermaster shall have the responsibility and power to administer: (a) all rights and uses of water of the Walker River Basin recognized in Section A of this Article VIII, including rights under Decree C-125, (b) the allocation between the states provided for in this compact of water of the Walker River Basin in excess of that necessary to satisfy such rights and uses, and (c) all rights acquired to use water so allocated.2.
The watermaster shall be nominated by the commission as soon as practicable after this compact goes into effect, but his appointment shall not become effective until approved and confirmed by the Federal District Court for the District of Nevada, it being the intent of this compact that only a person satisfactory to both the commission and said court be the watermaster under this compact and under Decree C-125. At any time either the commission or said court may terminate the appointment of the person serving as watermaster by adopting an appropriate resolution or order, and notifying the other and the watermaster thereof. When a vacancy occurs by such action or by the death or resignation of the person serving as watermaster, a successor shall be selected by the same procedure as provided for the original appointment.3.
Until appointment of the watermaster becomes effective by approval and confirmation of said court, either as to the original selection of the watermaster or subsequent selections to fill a vacancy, a person designated by the commission shall have interim responsibility and power to administer the allocation between the states referred to in subsection 1(b) above and all rights and uses other than the rights under Decree C-125, and the rights and uses under Decree C-125 shall be administered on an interim basis as may be provided by said court.4.
Actions and decisions of the watermaster as to the administration of the rights under Decree C-125 shall be subject to review and modification by said court. Actions and decisions of the watermaster as to the administration of the allocation between the states referred to in subsection 1(b) above and of all rights and uses other than rights under Decree C-125 shall be subject to review and modification by the commission.5.
Said court is requested to appoint a six-member advisory board composed of one person each representing: (1) the East Walker River Basin in California, (2) the West Walker River Basin in California, (3) the East Walker River Basin in Nevada, (4) the West Walker River Basin in Nevada, (5) the Main Walker River Basin in Nevada, and (6) the Walker River Indian Reservation. The watermaster shall prepare an annual budget of proposed expenditures for personnel, equipment, supplies, and other purposes deemed by him to be necessary to carry out his functions. In the formulation of said budget the watermaster shall consult with said advisory board. In the event that said advisory board is not in agreement with the budget proposed by the watermaster, it shall so advise said court. Said budget shall require approval of both the commission and said court to become effective.6.
The expenditures attributable to administration of the rights under Decree C-125 shall be apportioned and collected in accordance with orders of said court. The expenditures attributable to administration of all other rights and uses of the water of the Walker River Basin under this compact shall be equitably apportioned among, and collected from, the users thereof by the watermaster under rules and regulations of the commission, and the commission shall have the power to enforce collection thereof by any reasonable means, including court action in any state or federal court of appropriate jurisdiction. The expenditures attributable to administering the allocation between the states referred to in subsection 1(b) above shall be borne by the commission as part of the expense under Article IV, subsection B.1 of this compact.1.
Both states shall have the right to develop and use ground water within their respective boundaries; provided that development and use of ground water in one state shall not reduce the amount of water which the other state would have received under the allocation herein if ground water were not developed and used.2.
In the development and use of ground water pursuant to this article, wells or other methods of collecting underground water shall be constructed in a manner which will assure that water will not be drawn directly from allocated surface water. In the absence of proof to the contrary made to the commission, wells drilled within 500 feet from any perennial streams which are not sealed from the surface to a depth of at least 50 feet shall be deemed prima facie to draw directly from allocated surface water.1.
The commission shall have authority to take such action as it deems appropriate, so that the allocations of water made by this compact to either state shall not be adversely affected by ground water withdrawals or use of water from springs in the other state.2.
If either state claims that the development and use of ground water or water from springs in the other state reduces the amount of water which said state would have received under its allocation if such ground water or water from springs were not developed and used, it may file a protest with the commission in accordance with the rules of the commission. The commission is empowered to receive evidence on any protest and make its ruling thereon.(1)
It shall have been ratified by acts of the Legislature of each of the States of California and Nevada;(2)
It shall have been consented to by act of Congress of the United States; and(3)
Congress provides in its consent legislation or by separate legislation that the following provisions of the compact shall be binding on the agencies, wards, and instrumentalities of the United States of America:
Source:
Section 538.600 — California-Nevada Interstate Compact: Ratification and approval; text., https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-538.html#NRS538Sec600
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