Water plan has rural counties steamed

Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2005 | 8:40 a.m.

The hot-button issue of importing water from rural Nevada to the thirsty Las Vegas Valley is on the agenda of the Clark County Commission and several of its political alter egos this morning.

The Southern Nevada Water Authority, which plans a $2 billion system of wells and pipelines from rural Clark, Lincoln and White Pine counties to supply growing urban needs, has asked local governments throughout Clark County for support. The plan has been met by stiff resistance from White Pine County residents and environmentalists.

The county commission, the Las Vegas Valley Water Authority, the Clark County Water Reclamation District and the Big Bend Water District are all scheduled to vote on supporting resolutions today. All the boards, which provide water or sewer services to various parts of the county, are composed of the seven commissioners and are scheduled to vote on the resolutions.

Jane Feldman, chairwoman of the local Sierra Club's conservation committee, said her group is asking the county commission to take the issue off of the "consent" agenda. Consent items are not opened up for public debate.

"It should be something that is considered with a lot of public input every step of the way," Feldman said.

She urged the commissioners to vote against the resolutions.

"There needs to be a lot more research on impacts, a lot more public input from people who are going to be affected and a lot more conservation (of water use) done before rural exportation of water is considered to be a viable alternative," Feldman said.

Ann Brauer, chairwoman of the five-member Indian Springs Town Advisory Board that represents about 1,500 people in northern Clark County, agreed on both points. Brauer said the Water Authority's groundwater development plans in northern Clark and southern Lincoln counties could threaten Indian Springs' supply.

"We just feel like there is not enough research to support what they are trying to do," she said.

Vince Alberta, a Water Authority spokesman, said the resolutions lend support to his agency's plans, but also "highlights the Water Authority's commitment to be highly responsive to environmental concerns and underscores Southern Nevada's commitment to rural lifestyles."

He said the success of the rural water projects is important to the economy of the entire state.

"We have said from the beginning we will develop these resources in a responsible manner," Alberta said.

Henderson also is scheduled to vote on the resolution today. North Las Vegas is scheduled to vote on the issue Wednesday, and Boulder City on Oct. 25.

Las Vegas passed the resolution earlier this month. One councilman, Gary Reese, voted against it.

Launce Rake can be reached at 259-4127 or at lrake@lasvegassun.com.