Eastern Nevada groundwater study meetings set

Public meetings are scheduled this week in eastern Nevada by the U.S. Geological Survey to inform interested parties about field tests that will begin June 1 to map groundwater resources in the area.

Hosted by the survey's Nevada Water Science Center, the Wednesday and Thursday meetings are likely to draw interest from critics of a proposal to tap the aquifer in the Snake Valley, which straddles the Nevada/Utah border.

It is there that the Southern Nevada Water Authority hopes to draw 50,000 acre feet of water a year for the 300-mile Las Vegas Pipeline Project, a proposition generating mounting concern from opponents who fear it will jeopardize native plants and leave a dust bowl in its wake.

"Usually these meetings are pretty popular because there is a lot of interest," said Ed Klimasauskas, the agency's outreach coordinator.

The meetings are Wednesday, May 27, in Ely, at the Bristlecone Convention Center, and Thursday, May 28, at the Great Basin National Park Center in Baker, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. both nights.

Although coordinated under the umbrella of the U.S Geological Survey, the studies this summer are being carried out in conjunction with a multitude of agencies, including the Bureau of Land Management, field officers from the Utah survey counterpart and the Utah State Engineer's Office.

Ultimately, the work is intended to determine how much groundwater exists and if the systems connect.

Although not done in support or on behalf of the proposed pipeline, which remains in limbo after a recent two-year extension of hearings to be held by the Nevada state engineer, the studies could either bolster the project's viability or compromise its likelihood.

Nevada's water authority contends that any water in the Snake Valley aquifer is a shared resource and it's reasonable for some of that flow to be directed to thirsty Las Vegas households.

While most of the land is in Utah, the majority of the water originates in Nevada mountains. Concern over the pipeline resulted in the Utah Legislature establishing the Snake Valley Regional Advisory Council and multiple county leaders signing letters to state leaders that urge caution.

Mike Styler, the head of the Utah Department of Natural Resources, met with a "working group" of Nevada counterparts on Wednesday to discuss the potential impact on the project with Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert taking the reins of the state's top leadership position.

Opponents who say dust storms will result from tapping the aquifer pitched their case to Utah air-quality managers earlier this year, saying impacts could stretch to not only Salt Lake County, but Utah County, Herbert's home county.

e-mail: amyjoi@desnews.com