City of Fernley v. Conant — 9th Cir. (argued August 12, 2026)
The Ninth Circuit revisits a fight over the Bureau of Reclamation's plan to partially line the Truckee Canal. The National Environmental Policy Act requires a federal agency to study and disclose major environmental effects, alternatives, and mitigation, but it does not force the agency to choose a particular result. Fernley and two well owners say the lining will reduce seepage that recharges the area's aquifer and that the review was inadequate. The federal defendants say Reclamation considered the choices reasonably and that courts owe its scientific judgments substantial deference.
City of Fernley v. Conant (No. 25-1776) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, argued August 12, 2026.
Sources
Argument audio — Ninth Circuit:https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/media/2026/08/12/25-1776.mp3
Argument listing — Ninth Circuit:https://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/cases/streams-videos/archive?case=25-1776&hearingDate=2026-08-12
Argument calendar — Ninth Circuit:https://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/cases/calendar/
Prior appeal — Ninth Circuit:https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/memoranda/2023/03/17/22-15400.pdf
District-court order on remand:https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/bureau-of-reclamation-prevails-in-water-dispute.pdf
Truckee Canal environmental review — Bureau of Reclamation:https://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_project_details.php?Project_ID=25717
Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County — U.S. Supreme Court:https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/23-975_m648.pdf
Case background — City of Fernley:https://www.cityoffernley.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/7251?fileID=6716
Orr Ditch Decree background — Bureau of Reclamation:https://www.usbr.gov/mp/troa/final_oa/00_TROA_EIS-EIR.pdf
Orr Ditch Decree map record — Nevada Division of Water Resources:https://arcgis.water.nv.gov/arcgis/rest/services/NDWR/Decrees_Truckee_River/FeatureServer
David Rigdon — Nevada Legislature record:https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/81st2021/Minutes/Assembly/NR/Final/706.pdf
Caitlin Skulan — Schroeder Law Offices:https://water-law.com/caitlin-skulan/
- 0:00Introduction
- 0:41David Rigdon for the City of Fernley
- 5:08The Orr Ditch Decree
- 12:18Caitlin Skulan for the Well Owners
- 18:03Counsel for the Federal Defendants