On December 11, 2023, the Walker Basin Conservancy announced that thanks to funding received from the State of Nevada, a groundwater rights retirement program is now underway. Working with the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, this project creates a market to address the decline of groundwater tables in the Mineral County/Walker Basin region.
Three other groundwater pilot programs of this kind were provided monies to help address this problem in other regions of Nevada, as part of the Nevada Water Conservation and Infrastructure Initiative (NWCII). According to Walker Basin Conservancy Water Program Director Carlene Henneman, funding was prioritized to basins that had an over appropriation of groundwater rights (more rights granted than water available in most years); demonstrated a decline in groundwater storage and levels; and had a known conflict between groundwater and surface water rights (when the over pumping of had detrimental effects on senior surface water flows).
“The Walker Basin has all these problems,” Henneman says. “[A] USGS report shows severe decline to groundwater storage in the Walker Basin and its effect of surface water flows over last 50 years and a DWR (Division of Water Resources) report rates Walker Basin as very high concern over groundwater conditions.
“Additionally, through our administration of the federal Walker Basin Restoration Program, the Conservancy built the administrative framework and organizational capacity to implement a water rights acquisition program. The Conservancy has developed relationships with farmers and ranchers on temporary and permanent water transactions. We have successfully relinquished more than 10,000 acre-feet of groundwater and are in active negotiations on additional groundwater acquisitions. We are accordingly in a strong position to assist DCNR (Department of Natural Resources) in meeting the objectives of the NWCII,” she adds.
The Conservancy has worked with 150 farmers and ranchers so far, from families who want to transition out of farming to those who want to contribute to supporting the Conservancy’s efforts and take advantage of this financial opportunity. The Conservancy was awarded $4 million to assist in these groundwater acquisition rights and pays around $3500/acre-foot of groundwater. All its groundwater transactions must be in contract by September 30, 2024.
“We work closely with sellers to determine what works best for them and also meets program goals,” Henneman says.
The Conservancy plans on leveraging its decade of experience in successful environmental water transactions to drive additional impact of restoring viable groundwater in the Water Basin, much of it which flows into Walker Lake.
The Conservancy has two public meetings planned to answer questions about the program, which will be at the Yerington Library on 20 Nevin Way January 3 at 5:30 p.m. and at the Smith Valley Library on 22 Day Lane on Thursday, January 4 at 5:30 p.m.
“We hope people interested in participating will join the meetings so we can explain our pricing, how it is determined and can address any questions or concerns,” says Henneman.
“It is exciting to be a part of the State’s first proactive step in the Walker Basin to address groundwater issues. This program will permanently reduce groundwater pumping, working with willing sellers in a market-based approach. We have demonstrated success in water transactions like these and see this as the best path forward to create lasting change,” Henneman adds.
For more information about the Walker Basin Groundwater Rights Retirement Program, visit walkerbasin.org/groundwater.
