Water Authority eyes plan to protect LV Wash

The Southern Nevada Water Authority wasted no time in acting on advice from a citizen's committee to save the shrinking wetlands in the Las Vegas Wash.

The SNWA board is putting in place today concrete ways to develop a comprehensive plan that will design marshes to improve water quality and to offer recreation within a natural wetlands park.

To stop erosion from stripping marsh plants from the channel snaking across the eastern Las Vegas Valley, the SNWA board is expected to approve an agreement with Clark County to repair damaged structures designed to slow rushing waters.

Rebuilding the erosion control will cost the water authority and the county $1 million. Each agency plans to pay $500,000.

The original structure was built in 1984 by the Colorado River Commission to protect the valley's delivery pipeline from floods, but storms have ripped the shield apart.

Another similar structure downstream at Pabco Road is awaiting the end of a survey of endangered birds, the Southwest willow flycatcher and the Yuma clapper rail. Repairs at the Pabco Road structure could begin in the fall.

The water authority also plans to hire Harding Lawson Associates to design a wetlands under a $79,733 contract.

A 21-member Citizens Advisory Committee meeting for 10 months discovered that no single agency had political control for protecting the wash. At least 15 federal, state and local agencies had to be consulted before repairs or cleanup of the wash occurred.

"Well, it's nice to see they're moving ahead quickly," said biologist Larry Paulson, who served on the CAC and endorsed its report last month. He praised the water authority for tackling the problem of erosion.

"It sounds like the redesign of that structure will create more wetlands than the one before," Paulson said.

The county will become a partner in developing a wetlands park under a resolution approved by the water authority.

The water authority accepted the citizens' plan for protecting water quality and developing the wetlands. Some of the recommendations include:

archive