Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Nevada’s share of water is discussed

WASHINGTON -- Two Southern Nevada water officials and representatives from six other Western states met with Deputy Secretary of Interior David Hayes this morning to present him with a deal that would secure Nevada's water supply share for another 15 years.

Officials had estimated that the state would be using its full share of the Colorado River water by 2007. Las Vegas depends on the river for its water supply.

The seven states worked out a plan that ultimately would reduce California's water take. Utah, Colorado, Wyoming and New Mexico would allow lower basin states Nevada and Arizona to take unused surplus water for its fast-growing populations. California would still take some surplus water, too, but not as much as some in that state had wanted.

Today's meeting was not a "decision" meeting but rather an informal presentation of the plan, an Interior Department spokeswoman said.

The plan is subject to environmental review and changes by Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt.

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