Lyon County commissioners voted Oct. 1 to recommend approval of a temporary water-rights transfer that would allow about 26 acre-feet of Lyon County water to be used for construction activity associated with a solar project in Mineral County.
The application would temporarily change the place and manner of use of a portion of an existing water right now used for irrigation in Lyon County.
County Manager Andrew Haskin told commissioners the water would be used as temporary construction water for the Mineral County project, likely for purposes such as dust suppression.
The transfer would last for one year. After that, the water right would revert to its existing irrigation use.
Walker River Irrigation District General Manager Bert Bryan told commissioners the application involves only primary groundwater rights and does not include supplemental groundwater tied to surface-water rights.
Bryan said the amount involved is relatively small and would be metered and monitored by state water officials to ensure the permitted amount is not exceeded.
He also told the board that the State Engineer, not Lyon County, will make the final decision on the application. The county’s recommendation is advisory.
Several members of the public urged commissioners to oppose or delay the transfer, raising concerns about exporting water out of Lyon County, possible effects on existing water rights and environmental impacts.
One commissioner said he did not want to oppose the transfer because the Mineral County project was already affecting people in Mason Valley and he wanted the project completed as soon as possible.
The board voted 4-0 to recommend approval of the transfer to the State Engineer.
The application was filed under water-rights application 95277T and involves a portion of Permit 13879, Certificate 5074.
Comment
Comments