reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 539 - Irrigation Districts › NRS 539.703 - Water and water rights become part of general supply when land excluded from further participation in benefits.

Whenever the board of directors of the district shall have adopted a resolution excluding such lands from further participation in the benefits of the district and from the right to receive district waters, the water or water rights theretofore apportioned to the lands shall be and become a part of the general water supply of the district and apportioned among the remaining nondelinquent lands in the same proportion as such remaining nondelinquent lands have been apportioned benefits, not in excess, however, of an adequate water supply for such remaining land based upon the duty of water recognized by the district; but in case the water right appurtenant to land acquired at a delinquent sale shall be based upon a contract with the United States the district may, with the consent of the United States, make any desired disposition of such water right.
[Part 29 3/4:64:1919; added 1937, 372; A 1953, 379]
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 539 - Irrigation Districts › NRS 539.708 - Petition for annexation: Contents; inclusion of lands within municipal corporation.

1. The holder or holders of any title or evidence of title, as defined in NRS 539.020 and 539.023, representing one-half or more of any lands adjacent to or in the vicinity of an irrigation district, whether contiguous or not, and which are susceptible of irrigation or drainage, or both, by the district system, or combined systems of works, may file with the board of directors of the district a petition, in writing, setting forth that those lands are susceptible of irrigation or drainage, or both, as the case may be, by the district system or systems, and praying that the land be annexed.
2. The petition must describe the land and also describe the several parcels owned by the petitioners.
3. All or any portion of the lands in any city in which the vote for mayor at the last preceding election was not less than 550 votes and not more than 1,000 votes, may in the same manner be included within the boundaries of any irrigation district if the lands are susceptible of irrigation or drainage, or both, by the district system or systems, and upon their inclusion the lands in the city, town or municipal corporation are subject to all of the provisions of this chapter.
(Added to NRS by 1967, 1613; A 1989, 1175; A 1989, 1175)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 539 - Irrigation Districts › NRS 539.712 - Notice of filing of petition for annexation: Posting; contents; advancement of costs by petitioners.

1. The secretary shall cause a notice of the filing of such petition to be given for 3 consecutive weeks by posting in five public and conspicuous places in the district, with at least one posting in each division thereof.
2. The notice shall:
(a) State the filing of such petition.
(b) State the names of the petitioners.
(c) Contain a description of the lands mentioned in the petition, sufficient to identify the same.
(d) Notify all persons interested in or who may be affected by such change of boundaries of the district to appear at the office of the board at a time named in the notice and show cause, in writing, if any they have, why the lands mentioned should not be annexed to the district.
3. The petitioner or petitioners shall advance to the district treasurer sufficient money to pay the estimated cost of these proceedings.
(Added to NRS by 1967, 1614)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 539 - Irrigation Districts › NRS 539.714 - Hearing on annexation petition.

1. The board of directors, at the time mentioned in the notice, or at any other time to which the hearing may be adjourned, shall hear the petition and all the objections thereto.
2. The failure of any person to show cause as provided in NRS 539.712 shall be taken as an assent on that person’s part to a change of the boundaries of the district so as to include the whole or part of the land mentioned in the petition.
(Added to NRS by 1967, 1614)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 539 - Irrigation Districts › NRS 539.716 - Conditions precedent to annexation; apportionment and assessment of benefits.

1. The board of directors may require as a condition to the granting of the petition that the petitioners shall pay to the district such sums as nearly as the same can be estimated as the petitioners or their grantors would theretofore have been required to pay had such lands been included in the district at the time the same was originally organized, and may apportion such benefits as are just and equitable to such lands in accordance with the benefits derived or which will accrue to each tract or subdivision thereof from the construction or proposed construction of a drainage works or other works, or the purchase or proposed purchase of any works for the district.
2. The board of directors shall examine each tract or legal subdivision of such annexed lands or proposed annexed lands and shall determine the benefits which will accrue or which have accrued, and such lands shall be apportioned their pro rata share of the cost of such works in proportion to the benefits derived by the lands therefrom.
3. The board shall make or cause to be made a list of such apportionment or distribution, which list shall contain a complete description of each subdivision or tract of land so annexed or proposed to be annexed with the rate per acre of such apportionment or distribution and the name of the owner thereof, or it may prepare a map on a convenient scale showing each of the subdivisions or tracts with the rate per acre of such apportionment entered thereon; but where all or any portion of the lands are apportioned benefits by the board at the same rate, a general statement to that effect shall be sufficient.
4. Whenever thereafter an assessment is made, either in lieu of bonds or an annual assessment for raising the interest on bonds, or any portion of the principal, or the expenses of maintaining the property of the district, or any special assessment voted by the electors, it shall be spread upon the lands in the same proportion as the assessments of benefits. The benefits arising from the undertakings for which special assessments are made may be distributed equally over the lands, or especially apportioned, and assessments or tolls and charges may be made or imposed as provided in this chapter, when coming within the designation of operation and maintenance charges, by way of a minimum stated charge per acre, whether water is used or not, and a charge for water used in excess of the amount delivered for the minimum charge, or such other reasonable method of fixing or collecting the operation and maintenance charge as the board of directors may adopt.
(Added to NRS by 1967, 1614)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 539 - Irrigation Districts › NRS 539.718 - Order of annexation: Contents; survey.

1. The board of directors, if it deems it not for the best interest of the district to include therein the lands mentioned in the petition shall reject all or any part of the same.
2. If the board deems it for the best interests of the district, and if no objections to the annexation of the lands have been filed as required in this chapter, the board may order, without any election, that the lands mentioned in the petition or any part thereof be annexed to the district. The order shall describe the lands so annexed, and the board shall cause a survey thereof to be made if deemed necessary.
(Added to NRS by 1967, 1615)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 539 - Irrigation Districts › NRS 539.722 - Resolution approving annexation notwithstanding electors’ objections: Adoption; contents.

If 40 percent of the total number of registered electors as evidenced by the total registration at the last preceding election file objections in writing to the annexation of the lands, or any part thereof, mentioned in the petition, and if the board notwithstanding deems it for the best interests of the district to include the lands mentioned in the petition, or some part thereof, the board shall adopt a resolution to that effect. The resolution shall describe the lands proposed to be included in the district.
(Added to NRS by 1967, 1615)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 539 - Irrigation Districts › NRS 539.724 - Election on question of annexation: Notice; procedure; form of ballots.

1. Upon the adoption of the resolution mentioned in NRS 539.722, the board shall submit to the voters of the district at the next district election or primary or general state election the question of whether the lands described in the resolution shall be annexed to the district.
2. Notice of the election must be published and the election conducted in the manner prescribed by this chapter for the issuance of bonds of the district.
3. The notice of election must describe the lands proposed to be annexed to the district.
4. The ballots cast at the election must contain the words "for annexation," or "against annexation," or expressions equivalent thereto.
(Added to NRS by 1967, 1615; A 1993, 1089)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 539 - Irrigation Districts › NRS 539.726 - Order of annexation following election: Contents; recording.

1. If at such election a majority of all the votes cast is against annexation, the board shall proceed no further in the matter.
2. If a majority of such votes is in favor of annexation, the board shall thereupon order that the boundaries of the district be changed to include the lands to be so annexed and cause a copy of such order, together with a plat of the lands, each certified to by the secretary of the board, to be filed for record in the office of the county recorder of the county or counties in which such lands are situated.
3. The order shall describe the land so annexed and thereafter such lands shall be subject to all the provisions of this chapter. Immediately after the filing for record of the order annexing the lands, the directors shall state on their minutes to which division or divisions in the district the lands shall be attached, or may redivide the district to accommodate the lands.
(Added to NRS by 1967, 1615)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 539 - Irrigation Districts › NRS 539.728 - Apportionment of benefits following annexation: Compliance with statutes.

If the lands are annexed to the district as provided in this chapter, and the board of directors apportions benefits to such annexed lands as provided in this chapter, the provisions of NRS 539.563, 539.565 and 539.567 shall, insofar as applicable, be complied with.
(Added to NRS by 1967, 1616)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 539 - Irrigation Districts › NRS 539.734 - Inclusion within district of state lands and state lands held under contract to purchase.

1. Whenever state lands held under contract to purchase are included within the boundaries of any irrigation district, such lands shall be subject to all the provisions of this chapter the same as any other land held in private ownership.
2. State lands, not under contract to purchase, shall not become a part of an irrigation district except by the consent of the State Land Registrar, who is authorized and required to consent thereto on behalf of the State upon there being filed in his or her office a certificate signed by the State Engineer to the effect that such lands will be benefited by inclusion therein.
3. District assessments, charges and tolls against such lands not under contract shall become a charge against the lands, and any sale or contract to sell any such lands thereafter shall be conditioned upon the payment, by the purchaser or contractor, of all such accrued charges in addition to the purchase price of the land.
4. In case of state land held under contract, the person holding such contract shall be deemed the owner of the land for the purposes of this chapter, and liens shall attach to his or her rights under such contract, and such liens shall be enforced as in other cases, subject to the paramount title of the State, and subject to the rights of a purchaser at a sale for delinquent assessments to be subrogated to the rights of such contract holder to acquire patent to such land from the State.
(Added to NRS by 1967, 1616)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 539 - Irrigation Districts › NRS 539.736 - Exclusion of land: Grounds; limitations.

The board of directors of any district now or hereafter formed under the provisions of this chapter, either upon its own initiative or upon the application in writing of any holder of title or of evidence of title to land in the district, may, by a majority vote, exclude from the district any land or lands theretofore included in the district, and change the boundary lines of the district so as to exclude or leave out certain tracts or portions of tracts when the proposed system or systems of irrigation cannot practically include such land or lands, or when such land or lands would not be benefited by remaining in the district or by any future improvement it might make, or when the land sought to be excluded has been, or is about to be, incorporated into or made a part of any city or town, or when the land sought is adjacent and contiguous to any city or town and it is proposed to develop such land as building sites and areas; but if improvements have been commenced, or made, or authorized, or if there are bonds or other contracts or certificates of indebtedness outstanding, no land shall be excluded and no established liens shall be released unless all of the holders of bonds or contracts or certificates of indebtedness constituting liens against the land sought to be excluded, and the owner of such land if the owner has not petitioned for exclusion thereof, shall consent in writing to the exclusion and unless all bonded indebtedness of the district chargeable to the land sought to be excluded is paid, or except as provided in NRS 539.738 to 539.748, inclusive.
(Added to NRS by 1967, 1616)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 539 - Irrigation Districts › NRS 539.738 - Notice of proposed exclusion: Publication; contents.

Within 10 days after the receipt of any such application, or after the passage by the board of a resolution proposing the withdrawal of such lands, the directors of the district shall give notice of such proposed change or exclusion and of the date, time and place of a meeting to be held by the board to consider such proposed change or exclusion by publication for two issues 7 days apart in some newspaper printed in the county in which the land sought to be excluded is situated, at least 30 days before the meeting to consider such exclusion or change.
(Added to NRS by 1967, 1617)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 539 - Irrigation Districts › NRS 539.742 - Resolution excluding land; objections.

1. All persons failing to file written objections within 50 days from the date of the filing of the petition for exclusion shall be conclusively deemed to have consented to such exclusion.
2. If 25 percent of the holders of bonds or contracts or certificates of indebtedness constituting liens against the land sought to be excluded file objections to such exclusion within the 50-day period the petition for exclusion shall be denied; otherwise, the board at its sole discretion, but then only upon the payment of all bonded indebtedness of the district chargeable to the land sought to be excluded, may by resolution exclude the land from the district, and the land shall thereafter be denied all benefits under the district.
(Added to NRS by 1967, 1617)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 539 - Irrigation Districts › NRS 539.744 - Order or denial of exclusion; publication of order.

1. Not less than 50 days after the filing with the board of an application in writing by a qualified elector of the district or after the board has of its own initiative and by resolution declared its intention of excluding any land or lands from the district, and after having first given notice as prescribed in NRS 539.738, the board shall meet and consider the matter and shall order or deny the exclusion of the lands in whole or in part.
2. A copy of the order of the board shall be published for two issues 1 week apart in some newspaper published in the county in which the land is situated.
(Added to NRS by 1967, 1617)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 539 - Irrigation Districts › NRS 539.746 - Recording of order excluding land or changing boundaries with plat.

If lands are excluded, or the boundary lines changed pursuant to NRS 539.736 to 539.748, inclusive, a copy of the order certified by the secretary of the district, with a plat of the land excluded or change in boundary made, shall be filed for record in the office of the county recorder of the county or counties in which such land or lands are situated, and it shall be evidence for all purposes of the facts it purports to the State.
(Added to NRS by 1967, 1617)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 539 - Irrigation Districts › NRS 539.748 - Petition to district court by aggrieved persons.

Any holder of title or of evidence of title to land in the district, or holder of any bond or contract or certificate of indebtedness constituting a lien against the land sought to be excluded, who is aggrieved by the order of the board of directors in excluding or refusing to exclude lands as provided in this chapter may, within 30 days from the date of the publication, as provided in NRS 539.744, of the order excluding or refusing to exclude lands from the district, petition the district court of the county in which the office of the board of directors is situated to set aside such order, and direct that such lands be excluded or be not excluded, as the court may order. The provisions of NRS 539.565 and 539.567, insofar as applicable, shall be followed in such proceedings.
(Added to NRS by 1967, 1617)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 539 - Irrigation Districts › NRS 539.750 - Petition for dissolution of district: Filing with clerk of district court; order of district judge.

Upon the filing of a petition with the clerk of the district court of the county where the district was organized, setting forth that an irrigation district should be forthwith dissolved, the petition to be signed by at least 25 percent of the electors owning at least 25 percent of the land in the district, the clerk of the district court shall forthwith obtain an order from the judge of that court, who shall enter an order directing the officers and directors of the irrigation district to submit to the electors the question of whether the district shall be dissolved at the next district election or primary or general state election.
[Part 47:64:1919; A 1933, 261; 1931 NCL § 8063]—(NRS A 1993, 1089)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 539 - Irrigation Districts › NRS 539.753 - Contents of petition.

The petition shall recite only:
1. That such district was organized.
2. The date of organization and that it now exists.
3. That the petitioners desire that an election be called to determine the question of dissolution by a vote of the electors.
[Part 47:64:1919; A 1933, 261; 1931 NCL § 8063]
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 539 - Irrigation Districts › NRS 539.755 - Determination of sufficiency of percentages required on petition: What governs clerk of district court.

In determining the sufficiency of the percentages required on the petition, the clerk of the district court with whom such petition is filed shall be governed by the last equalized assessment roll of the irrigation district, together with the last equalized assessment roll of the county or counties in which the district lands are situated, on file with the county assessor, county auditor and county treasurer of such county or counties, together with the list of electors from the records of the irrigation district and the registration lists and other election and citizenship records in the offices of the county clerk and county recorder of such county or counties.
[Part 47:64:1919; A 1933, 261; 1931 NCL § 8063]
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 539 - Irrigation Districts › NRS 539.760 - Conduct of election; canvass of votes.

1. The provisions of this chapter relating to general elections for directors shall govern in respect to such dissolution election ordered by the court.
2. The canvass of the vote at such election shall be conducted in the manner provided by this chapter for general elections.
[Part 47:64:1919; A 1933, 261; 1931 NCL § 8063]
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 539 - Irrigation Districts › NRS 539.763 - Certification of election results to district court; examination of returns by court; order of dissolution; filing of financial statement.

1. The secretary of the district shall at the time and in the manner provided in this chapter for certifying election returns certify the result of the election to the district court of the county in which such petition for dissolution was filed.
2. The court shall examine such returns on the Monday following such certification at 1:30 p.m., and in case it is found that a majority of the electors cast their vote in favor of "Dissolution of the District—Yes," and that the electors voting at the election represent a majority of the acreage in the district, the court shall enter its order dissolving the district, and thereupon the court shall enter its further order directing the directors of the district to file with the court a financial statement showing its indebtedness and other obligations. Such statement shall be sworn to by the president before a notary public and attested by the secretary of the district.
[Part 47:64:1919; A 1933, 261; 1931 NCL § 8063]
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 539 - Irrigation Districts › NRS 539.765 - Court governed by NRS 539.287 where contract with United States exists.

If the district has in force and effect a contract with the United States under the provisions of this chapter, the court shall be governed by NRS 539.287.
[Part 47:64:1919; A 1933, 261; 1931 NCL § 8063]
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 539 - Irrigation Districts › NRS 539.767 - Order of dissolution not to be entered until bonded indebtedness liquidated or consent of bondholders filed.

If the district has an outstanding bonded indebtedness or has issued bonds of the district under the provisions of this chapter, which are unpaid, the district court shall not enter its order dissolving such district unless and until the bonded indebtedness shall have been liquidated or the consent of the bondholders to the dissolution of the district shall have been filed in writing with the court.
[Part 47:64:1919; A 1933, 261; 1931 NCL § 8063]
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 539 - Irrigation Districts › NRS 539.770 - Payment of other indebtedness to be provided for; duties of county officers in closing affairs of district.

1. In case there is other or current indebtedness of the district outstanding not represented by a contract with the United States pursuant to the terms of this chapter, or represented by an outstanding bond issue duly authorized under the provisions of this chapter, the court shall determine the amount of such indebtedness outstanding against the district and provide for its payment as stated in NRS 539.750 to 539.777, inclusive.
2. The court shall nevertheless enter its order dissolving the district, which order shall also direct and authorize the county officers hereinafter designated to act as ex officio officers of the district for the liquidation of such indebtedness.
3. The district directors shall have no further power to incur further indebtedness after the entry of the order.
4. The court shall have power to enter any and all orders necessary to complete the dissolution of the district and effectuate the intent hereof.
5. The records and papers of every kind belonging to the district shall be turned over to the county clerk for use by the proper county officers in closing the affairs of the district. The county treasurer shall perform the duties of district treasurer. The county assessor shall perform that portion of the duties of the secretary relating to district assessor. The county clerk shall perform all the other duties of the secretary of the board of directors. The board of county commissioners shall perform the duties of the board of directors. The district attorney shall perform such duties as may be required of the district attorney by such county officers.
[Part 47:64:1919; A 1933, 261; 1931 NCL § 8063]
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 539 - Irrigation Districts › NRS 539.773 - Liquidation of indebtedness; levy of assessments; collection of taxes; sale of district property by county commissioners; disposition of proceeds.

1. The proper county officers shall proceed to levy and assess upon the lands embraced within such district proper assessments and to collect such additional taxes as may be necessary for the purpose of paying such remaining outstanding indebtedness not provided for by previous assessments.
2. Such assessments and levies shall be made as near as may be in the same manner and with the same procedure as provided by this chapter.
3. All property of every kind belonging to the district, including lands sold to the district for taxes, shall be sold by the board of county commissioners as near as may be in the same manner as county lands acquired at tax sales and county property are now sold, and the proceeds, together with all money on hand, shall be used to pay off the remaining indebtedness of the district.
4. All funds remaining after the outstanding indebtedness has been paid shall be refunded and paid pro rata to the last assessment payers according to the last assessment roll.
[Part 47:64:1919; A 1933, 261; 1931 NCL § 8063]
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 539 - Irrigation Districts › NRS 539.775 - Contract with United States or bonded indebtedness not bar to dissolution if provision made for payment.

The outstanding indebtedness, except in cases mentioned in NRS 539.765 and 539.767 where there is an outstanding lawful bond issue, or where the district has entered into a contract with the United States pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, shall not operate as a bar to dissolution by the district court when provision is made for the payment of such indebtedness in the manner provided in this chapter, or such indebtedness is otherwise satisfied.
[Part 47:64:1919; A 1933, 261; 1931 NCL § 8063]
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 539 - Irrigation Districts › NRS 539.777 - Entry of order dissolving district; further indebtedness prohibited.

Upon the entry of the order of the court dissolving the district, the same shall be deemed dissolved and no further indebtedness of any kind shall be contracted by the board of directors of the district.
[Part 47:64:1919; A 1933, 261; 1931 NCL § 8063]
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 539 - Irrigation Districts › NRS 539.780 - Unlawful interference with officer, agent or employee of district; criminal and civil penalties.

1. Any person who wrongfully and maliciously interferes with any officer, agent or employee of the district in the proper discharge of his or her duties, is guilty of a public offense, as prescribed in NRS 193.155, proportionate to the value of any property damaged or destroyed and in no event less than a misdemeanor.
2. The irrigation district damaged by any such act may also bring a civil action for damages sustained by any such act, and in such proceeding the prevailing party is entitled to attorney’s fees and costs of court.
[10b:64:1919; added 1923, 289; NCL § 8019]—(NRS A 1967, 611; 1979, 1486)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 539 - Irrigation Districts › NRS 539.783 - Liability of water user negligently or wrongfully impairing system of works; notice to repair.

Any water user, or his or her agent or lessee, of an irrigation district who shall negligently or wrongfully impair the usefulness of any reservoir, canal, ditch, lateral, drain, headgate, structure, or any part of the irrigation district system of works and fails to repair the same within 10 days after notice from the district so to do, or who fails within such time to file with the board of directors good and sufficient reasons for so failing to do, shall become liable for the payment thereof as provided in this chapter, or the irrigation district may make such repairs and add and collect the same as an operation and maintenance charge against the lands of the water user for the next succeeding irrigation season.
[10c:64:1919; added 1929, 286; NCL § 8020]
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 540 - Planning and Development of Water Resources › NRS 540.011 - Legislative declaration.

1. The Legislature determines that it is the policy of the State of Nevada to continue to recognize the critical nature of the State’s limited water resources. It is acknowledged that many of the State’s surface water resources are committed to existing uses, under existing water rights, and that in many areas of the State the available groundwater supplies have been appropriated for current uses. It is the policy of the State of Nevada to recognize and provide for the protection of these existing water rights. It is the policy of the State to encourage efficient and nonwasteful use of these limited supplies. It is also the policy of the State to encourage suppliers of water to establish prices for the use of water that maximize water conservation with due consideration to the essential service needs of customers and the economic burdens on businesses, public services and low-income households.
2. The Legislature further recognizes the relationship between the critical nature of the State’s limited water resources and the increasing demands placed on these resources as the population of the State continues to grow.
3. The Legislature further recognizes the relationship between the quantity of water and the quality of water, and the necessity to consider both factors simultaneously when planning the uses of water.
4. The Legislature further recognizes the important role of water resource planning and that such planning must be based upon identifying current and future needs for water. The Legislature determines that the purpose of the State’s water resource planning is to assist the State, its local governments and its citizens in developing effective plans for the use of water.
(Added to NRS by 1977, 1170; A 1991, 173; 1995, 2499; 2007, 1252)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 540 - Planning and Development of Water Resources › NRS 540.021 - Definitions.

As used in this chapter:
1. "Chief" means the Chief of the Section.
2. "Department" means the State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
3. "Division" means the Division of Water Resources of the Department.
4. "Section" means the Water Planning Section of the Division.
(Added to NRS by 1977, 1170; A 2005, 2566)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 540 - Planning and Development of Water Resources › NRS 540.041 - Chief: Qualifications; duties; employment of staff.

1. The Chief:
(a) Must be selected with special reference to his or her training, experience, capability and interest in the field of water resource planning.
(b) Shall coordinate the activities of the Section.
2. The Chief is responsible for the administration of all provisions of law relating to the functions of the Section.
3. The Chief, with the approval of the State Engineer, may employ, within the limits of legislative appropriations, such staff as is necessary to the performance of his or her duties.
(Added to NRS by 1977, 1170; A 1985, 437; 1995, 2316; 1999, 1087; 2005, 2566; 2013, 1631)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 540 - Planning and Development of Water Resources › NRS 540.061 - Statement of legislative intent relating to reporting of projects to Chief.

It is the intent of the Legislature, in accordance with the state policy set forth in NRS 540.011, to provide for the reporting of all projects to the Chief to ensure effective coordination by the State in its effort to plan water use.
(Added to NRS by 1989, 1236; A 2005, 2568)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 540 - Planning and Development of Water Resources › NRS 540.071 - "Project" defined.

As used in NRS 540.061 to 540.091, inclusive, unless the context otherwise requires, "project" means any development, including new construction and expansion or modification of existing development, that requires the use of 5 acre-feet or more of water per year and requires the approval of an officer or agency of a local government.
(Added to NRS by 1989, 1236)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 540 - Planning and Development of Water Resources › NRS 540.081 - Applicability of NRS 540.061 to 540.091, inclusive.

NRS 540.061 to 540.091, inclusive, do not apply to:
1. A publicly owned project;
2. A subdivision as defined in NRS 278.320;
3. A parcel map subject to the provisions of NRS 278.461 to 278.469, inclusive;
4. A division of land pursuant to NRS 278.471 to 278.4725, inclusive; or
5. A planned unit development pursuant to chapter 278A of NRS.
(Added to NRS by 1989, 1236; A 1993, 2585)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 540 - Planning and Development of Water Resources › NRS 540.091 - Reports of approved projects: Contents; filing; deposit of fees.

1. A local governmental officer or agency that is required to approve a project shall file a report of each project the officer or agency approves on a form provided by the Chief.
2. Each report of an approved project must include:
(a) The name and mailing address of the owner or developer of the project;
(b) A legal description of the location of the project;
(c) A description of the project, including a summary of the amount of water required annually for the project;
(d) A statement concerning how the water will be supplied; and
(e) If the water is self-supplied, the source of the water and identification of the water rights.
3. A local governmental officer or agency may require the owner or developer of an approved project to fill out the report.
4. The local governmental officer or agency shall file all reports for projects approved during a quarter of a calendar year on or before 15 days after the last day of the quarter. The local governmental officer or agency shall submit a fee with each report in the amount of $75 plus 50 cents per acre-foot of water, or fraction thereof, required by the project. The local governmental officer or agency shall collect the fee from the owner or developer of the project, plus an additional administrative fee of $10 which may be retained by the local government.
5. The Chief shall deposit all fees received pursuant to this section with the State Treasurer for credit to the State General Fund.
(Added to NRS by 1989, 1236; A 1989, 2094; 2005, 2568)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 540 - Planning and Development of Water Resources › NRS 540.121 - "Supplier of water" defined.

1. As used in NRS 540.121 to 540.151, inclusive, "supplier of water" includes, but is not limited to:
(a) Any county, city, town, local improvement district, general improvement district and water conservancy district;
(b) Any water district, water system, water project or water planning and advisory board created by a special act of the Legislature; and
(c) Any other public or private entity,
that supplies water for municipal, industrial or domestic purposes.
2. The term does not include:
(a) A public utility required to adopt a plan of water conservation pursuant to NRS 704.662; or
(b) A public or private entity that has less than 15 service connections, as defined in NRS 445A.843.
(Added to NRS by 1991, 520; A 2019, 2098; 2023, 1106)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 540 - Planning and Development of Water Resources › NRS 540.131 - Plan of water conservation: Procedure for adoption and updating of plan; review of plan by Section; joint plans permitted by certain suppliers; duties of local governing body.

1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 5, each supplier of water which supplies water for municipal, industrial or domestic purposes shall, on or before July 1, 1992, adopt a plan of water conservation based on the climate and the living conditions of its service area in accordance with the provisions of NRS 540.141, and shall update the plan pursuant to paragraph (c) of subsection 4. The provisions of the plan must apply only to the supplier’s property and its customers. The supplier of water shall submit the plan to the Section for review by the Section pursuant to subsection 3.
2. As part of the procedure of adopting a plan, the supplier of water shall provide an opportunity for any interested person, including, but not limited to, any private or public entity that supplies water for municipal, industrial or domestic purposes, to submit written views and recommendations on the plan.
3. The plan must be reviewed by the Section within 120 days after its submission and approved for compliance with this section and NRS 540.141 before it is adopted by the supplier of water.
4. The plan:
(a) Must be available for inspection by members of the public during office hours at the offices of the supplier of water;
(b) May be revised from time to time to reflect the changing needs and conditions of the service area. Each such revision must be made available for inspection by members of the public; and
(c) Must be updated every 5 years and comply with the requirements of this section and NRS 540.141.
5. Suppliers of water:
(a) Who are required to adopt a plan of water conservation pursuant to this section; and
(b) Whose service areas are located in a common geographical area,
may adopt joint plans of water conservation based on the climate and living conditions of that common geographical area. Such a plan must comply with the requirements of this section and NRS 540.141.
6. The board of county commissioners of a county, the governing body of a city and the town board or board of county commissioners having jurisdiction of the affairs of a town shall:
(a) Adopt any ordinances necessary to carry out a plan of water conservation adopted pursuant to this section which applies to property within its jurisdiction;
(b) Establish a schedule of fines for the violation of any ordinances adopted pursuant to this subsection; and
(c) Hire such employees as it deems necessary to enforce the provisions of any ordinances it adopts pursuant to this subsection.
(Added to NRS by 1991, 520; A 2005, 2570; 2007, 1253; 2017, 3524)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 540 - Planning and Development of Water Resources › NRS 540.145 - Requirements for supplier of water to calculate water loss.

1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 4, each supplier of water that is required to adopt or update a plan of water conservation in accordance with the provisions of NRS 540.131 and:
(a) Serves 3,300 persons or more must conduct a water loss audit in accordance with the methodology and software of the American Water Works Association for water loss auditing. The results of the water loss audit must be submitted by the supplier of water to the Section with the plan of water conservation or update to the plan of water conservation, as applicable.
(b) Serves less than 3,300 persons must calculate the amount of water delivered by the supplier of water and the amount of water that was billed to customers of the supplier of water for each year. The calculations must be submitted by the supplier of water to the Section with the plan for water conservation or update to the plan of water conservation, as applicable.
2. If the supplier of water has previously submitted the results of a water loss audit to the Section pursuant to paragraph (a) of subsection 1, and is submitting an update to the plan of water conservation, the supplier must also submit to the Section:
(a) A comparison between the results of the new water loss audit and the previous water loss audit; and
(b) An analysis of any progress made by the supplier towards the goals for acceptable water loss established in the plan for water conservation pursuant to paragraph (c) of subsection 1 of NRS 540.141.
3. If the supplier of water has previously submitted the results of the calculations conducted pursuant to paragraph (b) of subsection 1 to the Section, and is submitting an update to the plan of water conservation, the supplier must also submit to the Section:
(a) A comparison between the results of the new calculations and the previous calculations; and
(b) An analysis of any progress made by the supplier towards the goals for acceptable water loss established in the plan for water conservation pursuant to paragraph (c) of subsection 1 of NRS 540.141.
4. The provisions of this section do not apply to a transient water system as defined in NRS 445A.848.
(Added to NRS by 2019, 2098)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 540 - Planning and Development of Water Resources › NRS 540.151 - Supplier of water required to adopt plan to provide certain incentives; procedure for adoption of plan; adoption of joint plans permitted.

1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 5, each supplier of water which supplies water for municipal, industrial or domestic purposes shall adopt a plan to provide incentives:
(a) To encourage water conservation in its service area;
(b) To retrofit existing structures with plumbing fixtures designed to conserve the use of water; and
(c) For the installation of landscaping that uses a minimal amount of water.
The supplier of water may request assistance from the Section to develop its plan.
2. As part of the procedure of adopting a plan, the supplier of water shall provide an opportunity for any interested person to submit written views and recommendations on the plan.
3. The supplier of water shall file a copy of the plan with the Section for informational purposes.
4. The plan:
(a) Must be available for inspection by members of the public during office hours at the offices of the supplier of water; and
(b) May be revised from time to time to reflect the changing needs and conditions of the service area. Each such revision must be made available for inspection by members of the public.
5. Suppliers of water:
(a) Who are required to adopt a plan for incentives pursuant to this section; and
(b) Whose service areas are located in a common geographical area,
may adopt joint plans.
(Added to NRS by 1991, 522; A 2005, 2571)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 540A - Regional Planning and Management › NRS 540A.010 - Definitions.

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:
1. "Board" means the board of county commissioners.
2. "Commission" means the Northern Nevada Water Planning Commission created by section 36 of chapter 531, Statutes of Nevada 2007, at page 3293.
3. "Comprehensive plan" or "plan" means the plan developed by a regional water commission created by special act.
4. "Division" means the Division of Environmental Protection of the State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
(Added to NRS by 1995, 2648; A 1997, 1342; 2007, 3286)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 540A - Regional Planning and Management › NRS 540A.030 - Boundaries of region.

1. In each county to which this chapter applies, except as otherwise provided in subsections 2 and 3, the region within which water is to be managed, and with respect to which plans for its use are to be made, pursuant to this chapter is the entire county except:
(a) Any land within the region defined by NRS 277.200, the Tahoe Regional Planning Compact; and
(b) Lands located within any Indian reservation or Indian colony which are held in trust by the United States.
2. The board may exclude from the region any land which it determines is unsuitable for inclusion because of its remoteness from the sources of supply managed pursuant to this chapter or because it lies within a separate hydrologic basin neither affecting nor affected by conditions within the remainder of the region.
3. The board may include within the region an area otherwise excluded if it finds that the land requires alleviation of the effect of flooding or drainage of storm waters or another benefit from planning or management performed in the region.
(Added to NRS by 1995, 2649; A 1997, 1342; 2011, 3737; 2013, 2367)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 540A - Regional Planning and Management › NRS 540A.050 - Grants; contracts; employees; disposition of property.

The board may for the purposes of this chapter:
1. Accept grants of money.
2. Enter into contracts, including interlocal agreements, consistent with its authority under this chapter.
3. Employ and fix the compensation of employees and professional advisers.
4. Acquire, hold, lease and dispose of real and personal property inside and outside the region, without limitation, by requirements applicable to a board of county commissioners in its capacity as the governing body of a county.
(Added to NRS by 1995, 2649; A 1997, 1342)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 540A - Regional Planning and Management › NRS 540A.240 - Acquisition and use of water rights and other sources of water in accordance with plan; imposition of charge by board.

The board may acquire water rights or other sources of water, within or outside the region, for future use in accordance with the adopted comprehensive plan. Any right or source of water belonging to a local government or governmental agency within the region must be used in accordance with the adopted comprehensive plan. The board may impose a reasonable charge upon a person seeking a commitment from a public utility to provide water, for making water from a source so acquired available for that use.
(Added to NRS by 1995, 2656; A 1997, 1342)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 540A - Regional Planning and Management › NRS 540A.250 - Creation of district for remediation; recovery of expenses.

1. The board shall create a district for remediation of the quality of water if the county or district health officer or the Administrator of the Division certifies in writing to the board that a condition exists in an area of the region which is affecting or will affect the quality of water that is available for municipal, industrial or domestic use within the region.
2. Upon receipt of the certificate, the board shall proceed, in cooperation with the health officer and the Division, to verify the existence and extent of the condition and establish the appropriate boundaries of the district. Money expended by the board for this purpose may be recovered, after the district is established, from the proceeds of bonds issued pursuant to NRS 540A.267 or from a fee or tax imposed pursuant to NRS 540A.265.
3. The district created pursuant to this section must include:
(a) The area where the condition which requires remediation is determined by the board to be present or for which remediation is determined by the board to be necessary, including any area to which the condition is expected to migrate unless remediation is carried out; and
(b) If the board determines that the condition which requires remediation affects the quantity or quality of drinking water within the region, the wholesale and retail service area of any provider of water that has used or uses for any portion of its supply wells located in the area described in paragraph (a).
(Added to NRS by 1995, 2657; A 1997, 656, 1335)