"This is groundwater we're talking about," said Kathy. "It's water from Lake Bonneville and the Ice Age. Basically it's water that won't be replaced until we have another Ice Age."

Or roughly the same point in time Snake Valley will be willing to send any water south to Vegas.

A sentiment expressed succinctly, and with alliteration, in the SVCA rallying cry: "Critters and crops, not craps."

Whether they'll succeed in keeping their West Desert water to themselves remains to be seen. They're taking on big boys who are loaded with clout, connections and collateral. And they're getting thirsty.

It isn't hard to tell the David from the Goliath in this battle, or why the David is so bound and determined to at least try to buck the odds.

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Lee Benson's column runs Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Please send e-mail to benson@desnews.com and faxes to 801-237-2527.