Bill creating emergency water permits advances

Permits allowing livestock owners in drought stricken areas emergency access to water moves closer to law with an Assembly committee’s nod of approval.

The Assembly Natural Resources Committee unanimously passed Senate Bill 134 on Thursday. It’s a response to a system flaw revealed last year when ranchers tried to get water for their livestock during a drought in northeastern Nevada.

The ranchers found they had to go through a normal permitting process for water rights which can take more than six months. This bill creates an emergency permitting process available when state or federal officials declare a drought emergency.

The process could be completed within a week, but the permit is only valid for a year.

Part of the proposal also updates Nevada’s standards on wildlife guzzlers across the state.