Tribe may appeal ruling in water dispute

Monday, Jan. 5, 1998 | 8 a.m.

Wright said he would talk with other tribal officials before announcing the next legal move in the case. An appeal would put the case back in U.S. District Court.

"Clearly, it's disappointing, but that doesn't mean we're just throwing in the towel and going to give up on this," Wright told the Lahontan Valley News and Fallon Eagle Standard.

"We will be responding as we see necessary. We have some decisions we have to make with our governing body."

State engineer Mike Turnipseed ruled that a group of Fallon-area farmers do not have to forfeit Truckee water rights to the tribe.

The tribe asked Turnipseed to cancel certain water rights on grounds that they haven't been used for years. They claimed the rights should be forfeited so more water could flow into Pyramid Lake, the river's terminus.

Turnipseed concluded the legal burden of proof was not met by the tribe.

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