Rep. Ronda Rudd Menlove, R-Garland, asked if there is a hydrologic link between Spring Valley and Snake Valley.

"There is absolutely," said Gibson. In fact, he said, a deep aquifer runs between the two.

Menlove said she is concerned that what happens in Nevada could impact Utah.

Sound scientific studies must be completed "before we start giving our water away," said Rep. Jackie Biskupski, D-Salt Lake.

Rep. Richard W. Wheeler, R-Ephraim, the measure's sponsor, said the resolution will let people know the Legislature is watching.

Following the vote, the Deseret Morning News contacted Cecil Garland, a Callao rancher who has fought the project strenuously and whose quip about crops and craps was quoted by Wheeler. "I'm really, really pleased with this," he said.

"This is a classic example of government close to the people, reacting to a true need of the people for protection. I would have liked to have seen Spring Valley in this resolution, for the simple reason that it's an integral part and feeds into Snake Valley."

Nevertheless, Garland said, the resolution "conveys the very important message that we need the science before we need to start pumping the water."

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E-mail: bau@desnews.com