SUN EDITORIAL:
Governor all wet
Gibbons proposes that an urgently needed water pipeline to Clark County be scrapped
Sunday, Feb. 24, 2008 | 2:08 a.m.
Gov. Jim Gibbons last week suggested scrapping an essential lifeline to Clark County that has been planned for nearly 20 years.
Fortunately, the governor alone cannot stop the Southern Nevada Water Authority’s plan to pump ground water from White Pine and Lincoln counties. The water is urgently needed to augment our supply from Lake Mead, whose level has dropped more than 100 feet since 2000.
The state engineer, courts and federal authorities will have the most say over whether the pipeline project is ultimately approved. State Engineer Tracy Taylor gave his blessing to a significant portion of the project last year.
Most of Gibbons’ support comes from Nevada’s rural areas, so it is not surprising that he would side with the ranchers and farmers who oppose the project. Still, a governor needs to assess what is best for the whole state.
We came out in support of the pipeline in 2006, after years of reviewing the plan and interviewing water officials to ensure that only excess water from untapped deep aquifers would be piped here. The farmers and ranchers draw their water from more shallow wells.
Laws governing the pipeline project would mandate steady monitoring of the deep aquifers to guard against any water loss that would alter the ranchers’ and farmers’ way of life.
As reported by the Lahontan Valley News, Gibbons told the Fallon Rotary Club a better plan would be for the state to aid in developing ocean desalinization plants in California, and then trade the water produced at those plants for some of California’s share of Colorado River water.
Unfortunately, the cost of building enough desalinization plants to put a dent in Nevada’s water needs is currently prohibitive. The truth is that desalinization will likely be needed someday in addition to, and not instead of, the pipeline.
A severe water shortage in Clark County could bring growth here to an end, plunging Nevada into crisis as jobs are lost and tax revenue plummets. Gibbons should be aware of that.
Discussion: 1 comment so far…
Post a comment
- Most Read
- Discussed
- Most E-mailed
- Metro admits to improper release of criminal history data
- Locomotives win inaugural UFL championship
- Wonder drug for men flops, suggestive ad campaign coming under scrutiny
- Was a foiled bank heist a cry for help?
- If Palin’s book is so bad, then why is it a best-seller?
- Q&A: MMA fighter and Playboy model Latasha Marzolla
- CityCenter: One man’s concept of a real city
- UNLV recalls last year’s close shave at Louisville
- Metro corrections officer remembered for his love of family
- Live game blog: Bellfield, UNLV come through late, upset No. 16 Louisville
Blogs
The Kats Report
Could a savior of shuttered Las Vegas Art Museum be ... Peter Max? (6 Comments)
For Paul Stanley and KISS, rock and roll is not over (6 Comments)
Twenty years ago today, Human Nature took root on the farm (1 Comment)
Robin Leach's Las Vegas Celebrity Watch
Photo Gallery: Donny Osmond’s triumphant return to the Flamingo
The Kats Report
'DWTS' champ Donny Osmond still deft afoot in return to Flamingo (8 Comments)
Politics: The Early Line
Meeting of GOP governors draws challengers, not Gibbons (5 Comments)
Politics: Ralston's Flash
Oscar loves forcing developers to sign labor peace agreements, Culinary loves the city's downtown plans and all is forgiven (10 Comments)
Calendar »
- 29 Sun
- 30 Mon
- 1 Tue
- 2 Wed
- 3 Thu
-
Tahoe Takeover at The Bank
The Bank | 10 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
-
Playboy Club model search
Playboy Club | 10 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
-
Queen of Queens at Revolution Lounge
Beatles Revolution Lounge | 10 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
-
Zowie Bowie's Vintage Vegas Show at Monte Carlo
Lance Burton Theater
The Sun
Locally owned and independent for more than 50 years.
Technorati










I grew up in Lincoln County and support the folks that live in this rural area of Nevada. Las Vegas residents need to take better care of their current water sources and should be more responsible in conserving water... stop watering the street! Stop watering the lawn when the rains come! Stop watering during the winter time when the freezes come! While it may be true that if the water stops flowing to Clark County, think what would happen if the ranchers stopped bringing cattle to market for the steaks and ribs for the high priced restaurants on the Strip.