Nevada’s basin and range topography is characterized by an arid climate. The arid climate makes the water in Northern Nevada’s rivers a precious commodity. Over the last century, competing interest groups have largely been able to balance their demands for water through a unique system of water rights adjudications overseen by judges in this District. Professor Bret Birdsong of UNLV’s Boyd School of Law moderates this panel of water experts and attorneys who will describe the history of these major water rights cases. In the process, panelists will provide a historical overview of the interstate water cases handled by the District, with additional commentary on the challenges posed by balancing competing interests in shared resources, as well as the unique role of the court in resolving those issues. The panel will also distill out lessons from these adjudication proceedings.
Moderator: Bret Birdsong – Professor of Law – UNLV William S. Boyd School of Law
Panelists:
Andrew Mergen – Emmett Visiting Assistant Clinical Professor of Law in Environmental Law / Faculty Director, Emmett Environmental Law and Policy Clinic – Harvard Law School
Joanne Sarkisian – Chief Deputy Water Commissioner / Water Master – U.S. Board of Water Commissioners
Wes Williams Jr. – Law Office of Wes Williams Jr.
