From Deseret News archives:
West desert bait-and-switch
But it appears that Las Vegas is eyeing twice as much water. According to published reports, the Las Vegas water authority filed a water rights application about 20 years ago seeking 50,679 acre-feet from Snake Valley. Opponents, who have based their comments on the 25,000-acre-foot figure, are crying foul. They want a new water study, claiming an existing federal report on how much water is available may be in error.
Experts disagree about the effects of a 25,000-acre-foot withdrawal. A U.S. Geological Survey study released earlier this year suggests Utah has plenty of water to meet such a request. But opponents say Utah Geological Survey estimates suggest drawing out even 25,000 acre-feet of water could drop the water table in Millard County by 100 feet.
Interestingly, the federal study shows how interconnected water supplies are in the arid West. That being the case, Las Vegas' future growth should not come at the expense of Utah's ranching industry or its natural areas.
This is not just a matter of saving a way of life; the springs are a critical component of the area's ecology, in particular the greasewood trees. These trees have deep roots that that tap into the underground aquifers. Without sufficient water, these trees would die, rendering the area vulnerable to dust storms that would threaten wildlife and conceivably disrupt use of the Utah Test and Training Range.
There is no question that Nevada, among the fastest growing states in the nation, faces enormous challenges as it grows. But its thirst for Snake Valley water poses risks to the future of ranching in Utah's west desert, if not the collapse of a delicate desert ecosystem. It needs to be fought on all fronts.
Recent comments
This looks like the free market allocating scarce resources. The...
Anonymous | Sept. 4, 2007 at 9:17 p.m.
This editorial is excellent, except I wish people would stop saying...
Ken Hill, Snake Valley | Sept. 4, 2007 at 3:09 p.m.
It is water. To give away this resource would be foolish. Las Vegas...
bbobbx | Sept. 4, 2007 at 12:31 p.m.
- Akron fires coach J.D. Brookhart 11:41 a.m.
- Canada engineers walk off job 11:35 a.m.
- Christmas shoeboxes for veterans 11:32 a.m.
- Roethlisberger sidelined 11:29 a.m.
- Police to talk to Woods 11:14 a.m.
- Louisville fires coach Kragthorpe 11:06 a.m.
- Houseplants can flourish 11:00 a.m.
- Russia: Bomb caused train crash 10:54 a.m.
- Clothing choices keep kids indoors 10:48 a.m.
- 9 bear cubs headed back to woods 10:41 a.m.
- Cave to be sealed with body inside
- Predicting the unpredictable: BYU wins
- Efforts to save a life praised
- Rivalry Week is highly profane
- BYU's old uniforms?
- Vegas, Poinsettia bowls or bust
- Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
- Glover gives Utes last-second upset
- Cougars turn back Wildcats'
- Hall's legacy measured today
- BYU would like friendlier rivalry
270 - Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
213 - Thunder rolls by Jazz
136 - Letters: Rushing to judge Palin
134 - Boys basketball rankings
130 - Editorial: Poor welcome for Palin
113 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
109 - Letters: Trump card for believers
94 - Cave to be sealed with body inside
94 - Rivalry Week is highly profane
86
This article is about Kyle and Bronco. Lavell
I just intercepted Maxi Hall Sean Smith
I just intercepted Maxi again Paul Kruger
# of times a school went to BCS: Utah - 2 BYU - 0 (zero/zip/nil)
Every team wants to win every game..not possible A.D.
And remember, the broncos lost last year to the 2nd best team in the MWC -...
Nobody here in the state truthfully cares if BSU wins or loses. It's an...
To Hypocriy: Labor costs in Japan are higher than they are here, yet Japan...
So, here's another question, why are you so fixated on this topic?
Overall, BYU is the better team this year, BUT, Max Hall can't work well at...

