Letter: Compromise on water is remote, but possible

Thursday, June 16, 2005 | 9:02 a.m.

This is in response to your Sunday editorial, in which you expressed the hope that Clark County and the Central Nevada counties could reach an even-tempered compromise on Clark County's plan to tap into their groundwater to ensure continued growth in the Las Vegas Valley.

The hope that an even-tempered compromise between the Southern Nevada Water Authority and the six Central Nevada counties that have formed a water coalition is a dream bordering on hallucination. I lived in White Pine County for seven years, from 1972 to 1979 when I was in my 20s. The residents there are incapable of looking past the county line.

The cow counties are right in not wanting their water tables seriously depleted to the point that it threatens their way of life. But there is more water in those counties than they can ever use. The possibility that the populations of these six counties will grow significantly is extremely slim.

If these counties can be persuaded to be realistic, a very generous compromise would be easy to reach. Their annual water allotment could be two and a half times their current usage. Carefully monitor the ground water levels. Stop or reduce pumping when the water table drops to their allotment. The Southern Nevada Water Authority would gain much-needed water and the six northern counties would be protected and would realize a boost in their budgets.

Let's hope that a reasonable compromise can be reached. But I would advise the Southern Nevada Water Authority to keep looking for alternatives.

RANDY BOLTON