Gibbons takes another whack at pipeline plan

Thu, Feb 21, 2008 (2 a.m.)

Gov. Jim Gibbons is again saying he opposes Southern Nevada’s plan to get water from rural Nevada.

On Tuesday, Gibbons told the Fallon Rotary Club that the Southern Nevada Water Authority, which has proposed a multibillion-dollar pipeline to eastern Nevada to supply Las Vegas with a backup source of drinking water, should instead build a desalination plant in California and trade that plant’s water for some of California’s allocation of the Colorado River, according to the Lahontan Valley News.

During his nearly 45-minute speech Tuesday, which focused mostly on the state budget crisis, Gibbons pitched the desalination proposal as “a better plan than what Clark County has,” according to reporter Christy Lattin.

On Wednesday Melissa Subbotin, a spokeswoman for the governor, confirmed that Gibbons “wants to bring water to Southern Nevada without taking it straight from Northern Nevada.”

Subbotin said the governor has made no formal proposal of an alternative to the pipeline, but thinks Southern Nevada could meet its water needs “utilizing water from the Colorado River and a desalination plant.”

She would not speculate on whether the governor would formally propose an alternative to the pipeline.

A spokesman for the Water Authority said the agency would have to review the governor’s comments, and possibly seek clarification from his office, before responding to the speech.

The state engineer’s office, which is considering the Water Authority’s application for water rights in rural Nevada, did not immediately return a call seeking comment Wednesday.

Conservationists noted this is not the first time the governor has questioned pursuing the 250-mile pipeline, which environmentalists and ranchers say would destroy the ecology and rural way of life of eastern Nevada.

“The governor has expressed his concern about the wisdom of this reckless and environmentally irresponsible plan before,” said Launce Rake, spokesman for the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada, which opposes the pipeline. “Conservationists, ranchers, anyone concerned with rural Nevada will be happy to hear that the governor is once again expressing his doubts about the wisdom of the Water Authority scheme.”

Last February, during a closed-door meeting with environmentalists, Gibbons questioned the need for the pipeline. Scot Rutledge, executive director of the Nevada Conservation League, told the Sun Gibbons prefaced his statement with: “The Southern Nevada Water Authority is not going to like what I’m about to say.”

A week later, an aide for the governor said Gibbons’ comments were only theoretical and had been misinterpreted. Steve Robinson, who was deputy chief of staff and natural resources adviser to the governor at the time, said: “He knows the reality is that the pipeline is the way Southern Nevada is going to have to go to get water.”

Discussion: 3 comments so far…

By WaterSource

2/21/08 at 8:20 a.m.

Suggest removal

STRANGE....Nevada has been offered a NEW fresh water Source that will yield ONE MILLION acre feet a year for ALL of Nevada. Nevada and the SNWA have been guaranteed that development of the Source will not damage the environment or the water rights of anyone, anywhere. Delivery of water from the Source is not affected by the quagga mussel, which is more than can be said about present deliveries from Lake Mead. The SNWA has also been assured that development of the NEW Source will not damage their pipeline plans.

STRANGE...that Governor Gibbons seems unaware of this new Source.

STRANGE....that the Bureau of Reclamation has no desire to use the Source to keep Lake Mead reasonably full for power generation or use releases for restoration of the Colorado River Delta.

STRANGE...Environmental Defense has no interest in restoring the Colorado River Delta.

STRANGE....Nevada doesn't want to investigate such a vast natural resource.

STRANGE...that Launce Rake and the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada have refused to mention the Source as a remedy in their complaints against SNWA.

STRANGE...that the SNWA doesn't want an insurance Source in case their well field idea is denied or rendered inoperative if damage to others occurs.

STRANGE...that the Governor's office does not want to communicate ....

Ray Walker (Retired Water Rights Analyst) waterrdw@yahoo.com
By kg6ifv

2/29/08 at 11:58 a.m.

Suggest removal

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.
By Socrates

3/4/08 at 10:37 p.m.

Suggest removal

For a great experience about the value of water, especially when it is scarce, I highly recommend reading the classic science fiction novel "Dune" by Frank Herbert.

You will never forget the value placed on every drop.

We could learn something from Mr. Herbert's incredible characters. The essence of life is something that should not be wasted.

Yes, we could learn a lot... and save some pipe in the process!