Reader comments
Another blow in Nevada's water fight

Jim Pexton | 3:24 a.m. July 8, 2008

I have been enjoying, exploring, studying, and traveling the Snake Valley and surrounding areas from Baker, Nevada to Wendover and from Eureka, Utah to Ely, Nevada for over 40 years. This area is in an extreme drought now and no change in sight. It is a travesty for Utah to let Nevada take this Water by sneaking (yes sneaking) a well into the ground across the state line from Utah. It will devestate not only western Utah but the Wasatch front as well with dust and polution.

Bob G | 5:45 a.m. July 8, 2008

These waters as all water belongs to the communities and local users. Las Vegas does not have the right to confiscate the waters from other users and put others lives and the enviornment at risk. This is not an issue of emminant domain for a city hundreds of miles from a source. If Las Vegas can claim any water in the state as theirs then it is only a leap away from delaring the colorado river is also theirs to exploit with wasteful use. Can any state along the colorado drop a pipe line in the colorado anywhere along its tributary with the same claims of rights to the colorado? No they can't and this approval would open the doors for them to attach rights to any waters or open rivers. Las Vegas needs to learn what convrsancy is and its limits of growth. All of america and its resources is not the property of Las Vegas.

Red Smith | 8:17 a.m. July 8, 2008

Federal Legislation is need to ban wells withing 10 miles of a state's border without written agreement with neighboring state.

This issue is not just a Nevada-Utah border issue but affects many western states.

Comments continue below

S Ned | 8:23 a.m. July 8, 2008

Sometimes it feels good to do things just because we can: take a nap, read a book, have a glass of lemonade when it is F 95. Just because there might be plenty of water--now--it is simply irresponsible to pretend it will always be there. Las Vegas is a charming anomaly but if you build on sand... you know the rest. It is disconcerting to see how authorities ride the elusive legal wagon and refuse to listen to common sense. We are depleting our resources at a head-spinning rate, resources that either cannot be replenished or would take several human generations--or geo ones--to do so. I am appalled, incredulous and feel rendered powerless against irresponsible authorities. Why are they allowed to make me feel that way?

Thirsty writer | 8:28 a.m. July 8, 2008

I'll not argue that the needs of many should outweigh the needs of a few (read that growing metropolitan areas should have the resources they need), but to scavenge an entire drainage basin hundreds of miles away is entirely irresponsible. The fact that this will directly impact a ranch my cousins run does not necessarily mean that Las Vegas shouldn't grow any more but it's the fact that they're so far apart that's just disgusting! It seems to me that a water use compact needs to be drafted and signed by states and then be enforced, similar to the Colorado River compact. The Colorado River agreement limits all affected parties and groundwater aquifers should be no different. Let's responsibly manage our limited water resources!

noclue2@frontiernet.net | 8:34 a.m. July 8, 2008

Hopefully you folks in Utah have the political clout to stop this water grab by Vegas. Almost all of the Nevada politicians are controlled or owned by Clark County, (Las Vegas). So the people in Nevada that want to stop this water grab don't have a chance. GO UTAH!!!!

TNT Ranch | 8:35 a.m. July 8, 2008

Does anyone remember Owens Valley in eastern Calif? Los Angeles made off with their water and turned a productive valley into a dry wasteland. This water grab by Las Vegas is no different as long as they can build another casino or fill another swimming pool. Ask the people in Bishop and the surrounding areas how they were impacted by this. Los Angeles bought up all the water rights then drained them dry. When you forget your history you are bound to repeat it.

LVnative | 10:10 a.m. July 8, 2008

I grew up in LV when it was a small, relatively friendly town. I don't like what it has become as thousands of people have moved here. I support the opponents of the water grab. There are very nice areas in the counties north of Clark County (where LV is located) and they should be able to control their water.

Move to Las Vegas | 10:25 a.m. July 8, 2008

If you don't like your community losing water, then move.

CITIZEN | 10:40 a.m. July 8, 2008

About 20 years ago the state of arizona proposed too run a pipe line too the great lakes too boost their water supply because of a rapidly expanding population.But someone forgot too tell them that canada owns approx.50% of the lakes plus there are 9 states that border the lakes and they all depend on the lakes for their water supply.needless too say the proposal did not float.if the lakes do not maintain a certain level of water the commercial shipping interest would come too a halt.

Anonymous | 11:54 a.m. July 8, 2008

Let the water wars begin!

bub | 12:12 p.m. July 8, 2008

Nevada New This Was Going To Happen Manny Manny Years Ago. Yhe Army Core Of Engineers Warned Them Then' But Someone Was To Busy Linning There Pockets' Know There In a Panic And Want to Take Water From otherStates. Wll You Better Start Looking InYour Own State ... There Is Water So Get Of Your back Side And Look, The Money You Are Using To Fight Other States Should Be Used For Exploration For Water.?

Anonymous | 12:41 p.m. July 8, 2008

It looks like this will have to be eventually settled in the United States Supreme Court, because both the residents of Nevada and Utah, and their way of life will be taken away from them without just compensation. The Equal Protection Clause, and the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness is totally relevant in this case. Without adequate water, none of this is possible for the people of Snake Valley in Utah and Nevada.

lawrence Bianucci | 12:51 p.m. July 8, 2008

The Las Vegas and Clark County politicians had better get their heads together and stop the growth. They don't have the resource to keep on building.

not a Vegas lover | 12:52 p.m. July 8, 2008

Las Vegas is a festering cancer. Let the thousands and thousands of unoccupied investor homes get absorbed by the housing market, pull out the golf courses, fountains, pools, water features and other non essential water wasters first and then let's talk about needing more water for growth.

always the same ignorance | 1:05 p.m. July 8, 2008

And of course, the population explosion has absolutely nothing to do with this problem.
The Good Lord will provide - right?

Randy | 1:10 p.m. July 8, 2008

When/where does the more is better mindset stop?

COSMO | 1:19 p.m. July 8, 2008

It is very simple, follow the money. Las Vegas has and generates a huge sum of money, with powerful political ties. Where as, Northern Nevada, and the adjacent area of Utah generates how much in capital?
I am quite sure that Senator Reid is connected to this whole fiasco.
This same situation happened at the turn of the century, in the early 1900's, when L.A. needed water to grow, they simply took it from the Owen Valley, from farmers,and their orchards. That place is a dried up ghost town, of an area.
The same thing will happen, unless the affected people become "Militant".

2 bits | 1:27 p.m. July 8, 2008

Las Vegas' needs (more water to simulate Venice, huge fountains, green golf courses in the desert, etc) trump the survival needs of the residents and ranchers in Utah's Snake Valley!

Anonymous | 1:30 p.m. July 8, 2008

Too many people (there will be more next year).
Not enough water.

Utah resident | 1:41 p.m. July 8, 2008

When Las Vegas has done their part in water conservation and responsible useage, they can consider trying to steal anothers water. Until then, they have no moral high ground.

It's conservative | 2:01 p.m. July 8, 2008

If it weren't for Vegas, Donny would have no venue. What happened to state's rights? Nevada can do want they wish to on their side of the boarder.

If Vegas has more money, let the free market rule.

Sunandsage | 2:13 p.m. July 8, 2008

Las Vegas needs more water pumped to them like a heroin addict needs another fix.
Las Vegas is in the desert - something the city planners appear to consistantly forget. The first step is to conserve. Then take a look at desalinization. Don't take water from an area that already has shortages.

Anonymous | 2:24 p.m. July 8, 2008

Utah resident: Utanan use three times the water as a Californian in LA

What are they conserving? | 2:35 p.m. July 8, 2008

Liberal California leads the nation in conserving water.
Conservative Utah wastes water and desires to conserve absolutely nothing.

To "Anonymous | 2:24 p.m." | 3:25 p.m. July 8, 2008

How do you know Utahns use 3 times the water as a one of you devine LA-ites? I've done a lot of reasearch on it and can't find any statistics to back that up. Do you have a source? Maybe something I can google to see where you got your facts? Or did you just make that number up?

Actually I wouldn't be suprised if the number you stated were true. Not that Utahn's are wastefull. Fact is our per capita water usage has gone down every year for the past 5 years (according to the weatherman on KSL-TV).

The reason the 3X wouldn't suprise me is... There are lots of ranchers and farmers in Utah. Of course a ranch or farm uses more water than a single person in a little LA appartment with no yard.

I noticed you were carefull to only use a person in LA for your comparison. California has a lot of farms too. I have a hard time believing California farms don't use a lot of water too. But since all Californians are "Liberals", they must be better at conserving water, right? I mean everything's all about politics, right?

Terry Marasco, Baker NV | 5:36 p.m. July 8, 2008

Trust is lacing with SNWA leadership:

Trust SNWA to protect the environment and the human uses derived from it with including ranching, farming, hunting, fishing, recreation, and scenic values?
Pat Mulroy, the SNWA General Manager at the Sept 11 hearings: ï¿½We have a new ethic to protect environmental resourcesï¿½ and ï¿½We have an environmental record beyond reproachï¿½. And she also said re the Owens valley: Pat Mulroy finds such comparisons ridiculous. ï¿½Owens Valley was a time and place when this country had no environmental ethic and no environmental laws. Those days are gone,ï¿½ she insists.
Just before a newspaper ad campaign in Nevada suggesting the Water Authority is concerned about environmental issues associated with the pipeline project, this from the Nevada State Engineerï¿½s Office: ï¿½State Engineer Tracy Taylor, in a 19-page decision, largely rejected an effort by lawyers for the Southern Nevada Water Authority to limit consideration of environmental issues in the hearings, scheduled Sept. 11-29 in Carson City. Taylor also rejected a Water Authority motion to exclude consideration of the effects on recreation and "scenic values" the ground water pumping and exportation could have.ï¿½

DV Fagan | 10:52 a.m. July 9, 2008

Pat Mulroy has almost two million pockets to tax through water rate increases. Follow the money.

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