Water ruling due by end of the year

Monday, March 29, 2004 | 9:03 a.m.

SUN CAPITAL BUREAU

CARSON CITY -- State Engineer Hugh Ricci says he will make a decision by the end of the year on the contested applications of the Southern Nevada Water Authority to pump 17,000 acre-feet of water from rural valleys to thirsty Las Vegas.

"I can't tell you if it's going to be in August, September, October or November," Ricci said Friday after he wrapped up five days of hearings.

The Water Authority wants permission to drill wells in Three Lakes and Tikoboo valleys, partially located both in Clark and Lincoln counties, to keep up with the needs of a growing population. Its witnesses maintained there is enough water in these areas to send to Las Vegas without harming the ecosystem.

On the other side is the federal government, worried that drawing the water would affect animals, endangered fish and plant life on the public lands supervised by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Park Service and the Bureau of Land Management.

Each side will present its final arguments in written form to Ricci by April 7.

Ricci said the case could be a precursor of other hearings in which the Water Authority seeks to process other applications for water in rural Nevada.