The State of the Water Industry Survey In the June 2020 issue of Opflow, the American Water Works Association published a survey of 3,351 water industry professionals. The State of the Water Industry (SOTWI) survey identifies challenges to the water industry and seeks to understand their causes. Several issues regarding water resource management made the […]
Survey by AWWA Details Challenges Facing the Water Industry Read More »
In a previous blog, we looked into who owns an aquifer: does it belong to private individuals or the public? Under the ad coelum doctrine, the surface owner holds the ground itself – rocks, dirt, and the like – as private property, owned all the way down to the Earth’s core. On the other hand,
Update: Is an Aquifer’s Pore Space Public or Private Property? Read More »
In the eighth COVID-19 webinar, Laura Schroeder, Michelle Owen, and Scott Revell discussed various types of water organizations. The webinar aired originally on June 3, 2020 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. You can view the webinar here! Above all, learn the differences between public and private water organizations. For instance, the panelists will provide
COVID-19 Webinar Series: Water Management Organizations for Ag and Domestic Delivery Read More »
In the fourth COVID-19 webinar, Laura Schroeder and Wyatt Rolfe discussed how to conduct due diligence on water use rights. The webinar originally aired on May 6, 2020 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. You can view the webinar here! Stay tuned to our blog for announcements for information about the next webinars. You can watch
COVID-19 Webinar Series: Water Rights Due Diligence in Land and Utility Acquisitions Read More »
The city of Anacortes, WA, is making news by running part of its new fiber optic cable network through its water system. Brown and Caldwell’s Water News for September 25, 2019, links to a report by KUOW News: “Wifi wires will run through water pipes in northern Washington town.” This “first in North America” system,
Wifi Through the Sewers in Anacortes Read More »
For the past decade, Schroeder Law Offices has provided opportunities to law students interested in learning water and natural resource law. Former SLO law clerks have established successful legal practices across the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Schroeder Law Offices is pleased to introduce our 2019 summer law clerk, Katie Jourdan. Katie is returning to work
Introducing SLO’s 2019 Summer Law Clerk Read More »
The ongoing efforts to protect a central Washington aquifer and the economic interests jeopardized by its steady decline were the focus of the Columbia Basin Development League’s Conference and 54th Annual Meeting, which was held November 1 at Moses Lake. The CBDL, which identifies itself as a non-profit organization representing the interests of stakeholders of
OGWRP is focus of Columbia Basin Development League Conference Read More »
Authored by: Valley Urricelqui Did you know that an animal’s performance is based, in part, on their water intake? Water is the most essential component for livestock’s proper growth, development and performance. How much water do you think cattle drink each day? Well there are a lot of different factors that lead up to that.
What is Livestock Watering? Read More »
On March 13, 2018, Oregon Governor Kate Brown declared a drought in Klamath County under Oregon Executive Order No. 18-02, with an expiration date of 12/31/2018. The drought was declared largely due to the low snow pack in the region. According to the Capital Press, Klamath County was, at that time, experiencing 45 percent of
Drought Declarations and Wildfire Season Read More »
While the negotiation of U.S. international treaties has been in the news lately, the renegotiation of an international treaty of particular importance to the Pacific Northwest has not received much coverage. However, May 29-30, 2018 marked the first round of negotiations between the U.S. and Canada in the effort to renegotiate the Columbia River Treaty.
Columbia River Treaty Negotiations Begin Read More »
On January 18, 2018, just eight days into the Washington State 2018 legislative session, the Legislature passed Senate Bill 6091, dubbed the “Hirst fix.” Hirst, refers to a 2016 Washington State Supreme Court decision in Whatcom County vs. Hirst, Futurewise, et al. Washington State Counties can only issue building permits or approve subdivision development if
Washington State Passes Senate Bill 6091 Hailed as “Hirst Fix.” Read More »
On January 23, 2018, after more than 10 years of discussion and revision, the Washington Department of Ecology adopted the Reclaimed Water Rule. The Rule will go into effect on February 23, 2018. You can read the Rule in its entirety here. Reclaimed water has long been used in the State of Washington for industrial,
Washington Reclaimed Water Rule Adopted Read More »
Today is World Food Day and we see many promoting their initiatives to fight hunger as they celebrate October 16, 1945 – founding day of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. One of Schroeder Law Offices’ missions is to support people feeding the world. We do this by offering legal services for
October 16, 2017: World Food Day Read More »
Partner Sarah Liljefelt and Assistant Administrator Kelley Wesson are heading to Olympia, Washington this weekend to race dragon boats with the Oregon Women Lawyers team, the Dragonflies, at the Port of Olympia. The Oregon Women Lawyers Dragonflies is an all-women, competitive dragon boat team made up of attorneys, paralegals, and other legal professionals. The team
Oregon Women Lawyers Race in Olympia, Washington this Weekend Read More »
Co-Authored By: Attorney Therese Ure & Lisa Mae Gage In August 2015 the United State Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (“Corps”) put their stamp of approval on the Waters of the United States (“WOTUS”) final rule. The WOTUS rule significantly expanded the definition of “waters of the United States”
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bonneville Power Administration, and the Bureau of Reclamation (“federal agencies”) are engaged in a five year process to analyze the effects of the Federal Columbia River Power System on salmonid species. In May 2016, District Court Judge Michael Simon found the federal agencies had violated the Endangered Species
Snake River Dam Removal Public Meetings Read More »
New studies have shown that a large number of older farmers are concerned with their ability to find a successor who is able to afford to buy their land, thus putting their plans for retirement at risk. Currently, the average age of the American farmer is 58 years old. Only less than 6% of American
Next Generation Farmers Need Our Help Read More »
Rights-of Way on Public Lands and Administrative Avoidance Century old rights-of-way uses of public lands can only be confirmed through a long, expensive federal court process. Because the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) cannot determine the validity of water delivery and road rights-of-way on public lands, farmers, ranchers, and local
Rights-of Way on Public Lands and Administrative Avoidance Read More »
Final rulemaking related to Forest Service permits for Ski Area Water Rights was released on December 30, 2015. Unlike an earlier directive passed in 2011, the Ski Area Water Clause will not require ski areas to transfer water rights to the federal government as a condition of operating on public land. Instead, the new clause will
Forest Service Changes It’s Tune on Transfer of Ski Area Water Rights Read More »
El Niño is gracing the West Coast of the United States and water watchers are enjoying relief from the past few years of drought, but the catch-up game may take longer than hopefuls could dream. Reports from the U.S. Climate Prediction Center indicate that wetter weather is forecast for the West Coast through at
Drought Aid in the West Read More »
