Rural counties get $1 million for water fight

Tuesday, June 7, 2005 | 9:11 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Nevada's rural counties will have $1 million to help "level the playing field" in a battle to preserve its water from growing Las Vegas.

The Legislature Monday put the final touches on Senate Bill 62 with both houses adopting a conference report.

Sen. Dean Rhoads, R-Tuscarora, said this $1 million will help the rural counties ward off "threats to their water resources."

He said it would be used for geologists, hydrologists and other professionals to see how the water applications of the Southern Nevada Water Authority might impact the rural areas.

Sen. Maggie Carlton, D-Las Vegas, objected to the plan, saying this was $1 million of taxpayer money. She said the money would be used to prepare for litigation.

Carlton and Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus, D-Las Vegas, used the old saying, "Whiskey is for drinking and water is for fighting."

Titus supported the $1 million and said the bill also calls for rebirth of the water planning agency under the state Engineer's Office.

Sen. Mark Amodei, R-Carson City, said the $1 million will not be able to match the resources of the Southern Nevada Water Authority. He said this wasn't squandering money and "it gives them (rural Nevada) a better chance to compete."

SB62 goes to Gov. Kenny Guinn for his signature.