Whisky's for drinking - water's for fighting

What could be a more important issue for Nevada than water?   A recent interesting article in the Nevada Independent discusses a problem that just keeps getting bigger.  With more urban users, conflicts between the states over water appropriations, and perhaps even climate change thrown in, the bottom line is we're running short of water - particularly in the Las Vegas area.   Based on an interview with John Entsminger, head of the Southern Nevada Water Authority,  this article covers the issue from the standpoint of the largest water user in the state.

“I think a small group of people that are relatively antagonistic to each other have had that discussion for a long time,” he said. “I don’t think it’s been a broader public dialogue.”

When asked if there is room for compromise between the water authority and the coalition opposing the pipeline, locked in a legal fight for decades, Entsminger said: “I hope so.”

He said water users within the state should look to the contemporary history of the Colorado River as an example of where once-feuding water users have charted a path, albeit an uneasy one at times, to self-regulate and avoid legal fights that can take many decades to resolve.

“Within Nevada, we have to evolve to a place where we can have that conversation to be able to say this distinction between agriculture and urban [water] is a false distinction,” Entsminger said. “Our residents buy the agricultural products. So we need to somehow come together as a state and recognize what is good for Las Vegas isn’t bad for everyone else.”

Unfortunately, this sure isn't the view of many in rural eastern Nevada.

As far north as Baker and Border City, ranchers, miners, rural residents and other users are worried and angry that southern Nevada will use their vast resources of money and political clout to run roughshod over their vital interests.   A trip through Owens Valley in eastern California is an edifying example of what happens when this happens; dried up watersheds and aquifers, ruined ranches and communities.  Only recently have they begun to undo the damage.

There's going to be some solution here eventually and perhaps there's time left to find the least bad one.  This is a classic problem where the Modern Whig approach might come in handy:

• Make sure we have knowledge before acting:  The SNWA has been pushing for comprehensive hydrological studies to determine exactly what the state of the aquifers is and to make reliable predictions on how they recharge.  This would be money well spent.
• Use available science and technology to mitigate the problem: For all its sins, Las Vegas does a remarkable job of conserving and reusing water.   For the city to grow however, they're going to have to do even better and resources should be allocated to devising even more ingenious means of saving water.
• Make sure the interests of rural Nevadan's are respected.   If decisions are made solely on the basis of population, money and political clout, rural folk in Nevada and Utah are going to lose big time.   Their voices - those of the people on the ground who will be most affected by water diversion have to be heard and respected.   They need clout in the decision making process disproportionate to their numbers.
• Preserve property rights while respecting the common interest. Water rights are the foundation of any enterprise rooted in the land.  Any solution must work within the context of existing water rights law.  

 What do you think?  How can we make sure Las Vegas has the secure water supply it needs to grow without destroying livelihoods and damaging the environment in eastern Nevada and Utah.

The Nevada Modern Whig Party wants to offer Nevadans a workable, moderate and pragmatic solution to the critical issue of water use.   We would welcome your ideas, perspectives and suggestions on this issue.

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