JOIN THE COALITION NOW — PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, WATER, AND COMMUNITY
Residents and property owners in Washoe Valley and Pleasant Valley are joining together to ensure their interests are represented in the ongoing federal legal action.
If you live, own property, or operate a business in the affected communities within zip codes 89704, 89521, and 89511, now is the time to stand together and become part of the coalition.
URGENT UPDATE FOR RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS
Following what many residents view as a betrayal by the Washoe County Commissioners, many residents and property owners have reached out asking how they can help protect their rights, property, water, and community.
A unanimous denial of the development proposal was overturned in a 3–2 vote by the County Commission, despite overwhelming opposition from the community.
Public records show that all THREE of the commissioners who voted to overturn the denial have received campaign contributions from the developer.
At the same time, the County was offered a pledged $1 million advance toward a proposed $20 million fire station, which may not be built for years, while allowing the development to move forward immediately.
For many residents of Washoe Valley and Pleasant Valley, this decision confirmed what many have feared: that the community must now take action to protect itself.
Status of the Federal Lawsuit
As you are likely already aware, a federal lawsuit was filed on January 6, 2026, just hours before the County Commission’s unanimous denial vote.
Since that time, we have successfully responded to the Magistrate Judge, and the case remains active and moving forward.
We have now filed seven additional motions and notices with the court, all of which have been accepted.
The court has also granted us a PACER account, allowing us to file documents electronically directly with the federal court.
In the meantime, the court has also allowed filings to be submitted by email, including filings related to lis pendens and the addition of additional defendants.
The case is very much alive and well.
The areas currently affected include the following zip codes:
89704
89521
89511
Why This Lawsuit Matters
The lawsuit addresses multiple legal issues affecting residents and property owners in the valley.
These include concerns related to:
• the chain of title to lands in Washoe and Pleasant Valley
• protection of homeowners and property owners who purchased in good faith
• Native burial ground protections and cultural resource laws
• development proposed within or near the Carson River Mercury Superfund area
• groundwater and aquifer concerns, including the risk that large-scale well drilling could deplete or contaminate local water supplies during ongoing drought conditions
• whether required water rights processes and consultation requirements were properly followed before advancing the project
Through the federal court process, the case seeks injunctive relief to pause development while these issues are reviewed, judicial declarations addressing the chain-of-title issues affecting the valley, and damages and other equitable relief where the court determines unlawful actions caused harm.
Current Update From Las Vegas
I am currently in Las Vegas actively meeting with attorneys who handle complex federal litigation and land-use cases of this scale.
So far, I have personally spent over $2,200 out of pocket on this trip between flights and hotels, and I plan to remain here until we secure an attorney willing to represent the coalition and affected residents.
Over the past several months, I have also invested more than 500 hours of pro bono work into protecting residents and property owners in these three zip codes.
This includes:
• two months of research
• three weeks developing the legal strategy
• one week drafting the federal complaint
This work has been done entirely pro bono on behalf of the communities of Washoe Valley and Pleasant Valley.
Because I do not drive due to disability, while in Las Vegas I am relying on Lyft and Uber to get to attorney meetings, which adds to the cost of this effort.
Financial Transparency
To keep the community informed, I want to be transparent about the financial situation of this effort.
Today I received a $50 Venmo contribution from a homeowner, which was greatly appreciated and covered transportation and a $25 hotel deposit. (changed to extended stay hotel)
In addition, one coalition member stepped forward and paid the court costs required to record the lis pendens, including:
• $12.30 for the certified court copy
• $43 for the county recording fee
Aside from these contributions, no other funds have been raised to date.
At the moment, my available balance is currently $8.00
Tomorrow morning I have another meeting scheduled with a high-caliber law firm that handles complex cases like this, and the transportation cost to reach that meeting will likely be around $100 round-trip.
Because of the distance involved, I will need at least $100 in my Venmo account before 8:00 a.m. in order to attend that meeting.
For strategic reasons, I am not publicly naming the law firms I am meeting with, as we believe the developer may already have placed retainers with multiple firms across Nevada.
For that reason, we are specifically meeting with plaintiff-side attorneys who represent plaintiffs only and do not represent governments or corporate developers.
View the Federal Case Filings
The coalition has now launched a Legal page where the federal complaint and related court filings can be reviewed by the public.
Transparency is important to this effort, and we will continue posting new filings, motions, and court notices as they are submitted and accepted by the court.
You can review the legal materials here: https://ssr4gc.org/legal
Coalition Membership
Membership in the coalition is $100 annually, which helps offset operational costs such as organizing efforts, legal preparation, and travel to meet with attorneys regarding the case.
Residents may also choose to volunteer 100 hours per year in lieu of paying the membership fee.
Membership dues can be sent via Venmo:
@jetteporrazzo
You can also join and complete the membership declaration here: CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE COALITION TODAY TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY VALUES, WELLS, HEALTH AND RURAL WAY OF LIFE
The Time to Join Is Now
If you are a resident, homeowner, or business owner in zip codes 89704, 89521, or 89511 — especially those relying on private wells — your participation is critical.
We are actively building coalition membership so that the full scope of affected residents can be represented.
Please share this update with your neighbors, friends, and local businesses in Washoe Valley and Pleasant Valley.
The strength of this effort depends on the community standing together.
Jeannette “Jette” Porrazzo
Executive Director