Category Archives: Water Law

August 10, 2018 Weekly Round Up

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I’m back from a great time in College Station at the TAMU Beef Cattle Short Course.  It’s an excellent event and is attended each year by over 2,000 cattle producers.  I spoke three times on various agricultural law issues and had a great time.   Welcome to those of you joining from BCSC.  To read more about this event, click here. Here are some of the ag law stories in the news this week. * NM State Engineer dismisses groundwater pumping permit for San Augustin Ranch.  For years, I’ve… Read More →

July 27, 2018 Weekly Round Up

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Hello there!  The last couple of weeks have been crazy and I’ve been able to speak to a number of great groups across Texas.  Last Monday, I was in Cat Spring speaking with my friend Stephanie Fryer on estate planning.  Then Tuesday, I spoke in Fredericksburg at the Texas Extension Specialist Association meeting on using blogs, podcasts, and social media.  Wednesday, I headed to Georgetown for a great meeting with landowners discussing grazing leases.  This week, I virtually appeared in Montague County to talk agricultural lease agreements.  Welcome… Read More →

NM Land Commissioner Sues NM State Engineer Over Water Permits

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A new water battle is brewing in New Mexico, but this time, it is between elected officials.  New Mexico State Land Commissioner, Aubrey Dunn, filed suit against the New Mexico State Engineer, Tom Blaine. [Read Complaint here.] The Land Commissioner is charged with jurisdiction over state trust lands to generate support for public schools and other state institutions.  In the Complaint, filed in the First Judicial District Court, the Commissioner asserts that he has “an interest in the appropriation of water on and off of state trust lands… Read More →

July 6, 2018 Weekly Round Up

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I hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable Independence Day!  My family celebrated with a small town parade here in the Texas Panhandle, which our two little ones really enjoyed! Despite the day off, it has been a busy news week for agricultural law. *Concho River Watermaster warns permit holders that curtailments may occur.  The Concho Watermaster sent letters to water rights holders this week that if drought conditions persist and a senior water rights holder makes a priority call, curtailment could occur.  Further, the letter requires receiving approval prior… Read More →

June 29, 2018 Weekly Round Up

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Happy Friday!  My husband and I just returned from a little vacation in the California wine country.   Although we had a great time in Napa, I made sure to keep up with the ag law news this week so I could share some of the biggest stories with you all. *Justice Kennedy announces retirement.  Perhaps the biggest news this week was that US Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy announced he will retire during the Court’s summer break.  Immediately, talk turned to speculation over who President Trump might… Read More →

June 15, 2018 Weekly Round Up

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Happy Friday!  I was able to have some time in the office this week and have scheduled several great blog posts over the coming months.  Be sure you subscribe so you don’t miss them!  Last night, I was able to do a presentation via internet for landowner in Brazoria County.  Welcome to those of you joining from that meeting. Here are some of the ag law stories in the news this week: *Article highlights dispute among neighbors on San Saba.  Naveena Sadasivam has written another really interesting article… Read More →

June 8, 2018 Weekly Round Up

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Welcome to June!  I hope everyone is enjoying the warmer weather and sure pray we get some rain soon here in the Texas Panhandle.  Last week, I traveled to Quanah to do a presentation on hunting leases at an Extension Wildlife Conference.  Welcome to those joining from that event. Here are some of the ag law stories in the news this week. * NM State Land Commissioner alleges that Texas landowners are stealing NM water and selling it back across the border for fracking.  The Texas Tribune published… Read More →

May 25, 2018 Ag Law Round Up

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Good morning from sunny Lubbock, Texas!  I am here for the 12th Annual John Huffaker Ag Law Course, a legal education symposium for attorneys.  I had the privilege of discussing farm and ranch leases yesterday and have really enjoyed the other fantastic speakers on the program. Here are some of the ag law stories in the news over the last couple of weeks: *New Mexico files counterclaims against Texas and United States in water law suit.  The New Mexico Attorney General has filed the State’s Answer to the… Read More →

Water Wars in the US Supreme Court: Why Should Agriculture Care?

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I recently did a webinar with my friend and WVU law professor, Jesse Richardson, talking about the various interstate lawsuits at the US Supreme Court dealing with water. We provided an overview of equitable apportionment, walked through four cases–Mississippi v. Tennessee, Florida v. Georgia, Montana v. Wyoming, and Texas v. New Mexico–and then drew some conclusions based on each of these cases, including why agriculture is at the center of each of them. The webinar was recorded, and can be viewed by clicking here.

May 4, 2018 Weekly Round Up

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Hello and welcome to May!  This week I had a bit of a break and was not on the road.  My friend Jesse Richardson and I did a webinar called Water Wars (discussing several interstate water disputes before the US Supreme Court) for the National Agricultural Law Center.  It was recorded and I’ll do a blog post soon sharing the link for you to listen if you missed it. Here are some of the ag law stories in the news this week. *USDA says GMO food labeling rule… Read More →