Pew Commends Nevada Leaders for Forward-Thinking Water and Wildlife Conservation Initiatives
New laws will help protect freshwater and advance wildlife crossings projects
WASHINGTON—The Pew Charitable Trusts today commended Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo (R) and the state Legislature for the passage and signing of two bipartisan bills: one that would conserve freshwater and reduce groundwater decline, and the other directing the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) to report on priority wildlife connectivity project locations.
Assembly Bill 104 establishes the Nevada Voluntary Water Rights Program, which allows water rights holders to voluntarily relinquish their allocation permanently for compensation. This initiative aims to restore aquifer levels, improve freshwater stream flows, and give water managers another tool to address needs in overdrawn groundwater basins where more water is extracted than can be replaced.
Assembly Bill 486 reinforces NDOT’s role in advancing wildlife connectivity by requiring annual progress reports on wildlife crossings priorities. By embedding this responsibility into the department’s ongoing planning and performance process, the bill ensures that improving habitat connectivity and reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions remain long-term priorities for the agency. This legislation builds on a 2023 law that created a wildlife crossings account in the state general fund, which was a long-term investment in wildlife crossings infrastructure.
Nic Callero, a senior officer with Pew’s U.S. conservation project, issued the following statement:
“These forward-looking policies will benefit Nevada’s people, wildlife, and natural resources for generations to come.”
On A.B. 104: “Nevada has demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainable water management. In the driest state in the nation, where more than 50 water basins are currently overdrawn, this legislation provides much-needed tools to protect aquifers and freshwater ecosystems.”
On A.B. 486: “By institutionalizing NDOT’s role in addressing wildlife connectivity, Nevada is taking a proactive step to ensure that wildlife habitats remain healthy while emphasizing that preventing wildlife-vehicle collisions continues to be a top transportation priority.”
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Founded in 1948, The Pew Charitable Trusts uses data to make a difference. Pew addresses the challenges of a changing world by illuminating issues, creating common ground, and advancing ambitious projects that lead to tangible progress.
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