15 Feb 2018
9th Circuit opinion on federal reserved right to groundwater
The United States Supreme Court did not accept an appeal of the 9th Circuit’s ruling on federal reserved rights in the landmark case, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians v. Coachella Valley Water District, et al., upending almost a century of understanding about the difference between federal, state and private rights to groundwater vs. appropriable surface water. This means that expensive litigation is in the future, as case goes back to the federal district court for determination of the quantity and quality of groundwater to which the Tribe has a claim.
16 Feb 2018
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Study reveals that storing South Platte water is an expensive solution for shortfalls
Too much water is making its way from Colorado into Nebraska via the South Platte River, say legislators, water experts and water users. Storage solutions could cost up to $1 billion. Not only are they expensive, new storage reservoirs are complicated by other issues, such as environmental impacts and regulatory burdens. While there is more than enough water during the wet season, there is a significant shortage when water is needed.
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