Court Opinion

ID: 7008489
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-07-24 03:58:12.010926+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:10:08.519282
License: Public Domain

SNEED, Circuit Judge,
Concurring:
I concur in the result reached by Judges Paez and Graber. I write separately to emphasize the need for a comprehensive resolution of California and Nevada interests in the Truckee and Carson rivers. Such a resolution is the only action that can secure a degree of stability. Repetitive and contentious disagreements over the use of the limited water supply to satisfy various rights, wants, and demands are sure to continue. A comprehensive cumulative impact study, while not legally required in this case, is nonetheless essential given the scarce water supply. One hopes that the Truckee River Operating Agreement, currently under negotiation, will solve the comprehensive allocation of the Truckee River waters.
Despite the well-reasoned majority opinion, the consequence is that a dissatisfaction with the allocation of the water between parties is likely to follow. This may be a situation in which we simply cannot muster the political will to resolve the various claims. Congress noted all too late that “[i]n retrospect, it is clear that the limited benefits of the Truckee River were promised by the United States to too many interests.” S.Rep. No. 101-155 (1990), at 13.
To aid those who might be interested in this disposition, a map of the affected areas is appended.
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