Agency supports Utah-Nevada water agreement

An unprecedented water agreement between Nevada and Utah got a seal of approval from the Southern Nevada Water Authority board on Thursday.

Board members approved the authority's role in the Snake Valley agreement in the same unanimous decision through which they voted to continue preparations to tap ground water there.

The agreement divides groundwater in Snake Valley between the states and provides protections for farmers, ranchers and other residents.

The water authority is a party to the deal but receives no water as a direct result of it.

The agency's applications for groundwater in Snake Valley are still subject to a hearing and full review by Nevada's Division of Water Resources. As part of the agreement, that hearing has been delayed until 2019 to allow time for more environmental studies.

The interstate agreement also includes a process for settling disputes and compensating Snake Valley landowners who might be affected by the pipeline project.

Rancher Cecil Garland said he takes no comfort in knowing he could get paid for any damage the pumping may cause.

"I don't want you to compensate me. That sort of makes me an indentured servant. I have to come to you with hat in hand and say my wells are drying up," Garland told water authority board members on Thursday.

The board also approved a separate agreement with Utah to monitor and protect springs and other sensitive natural areas from the impacts of large-scale groundwater pumping.

State officials in Nevada and Utah have extended the comment period for the Snake Valley agreement until Sept. 30.

The document can be downloaded at water.nv.gov. Written comments can be sent by e-mail to snakevalley@water.nv.gov or by post to Snake Valley Agreement, c/o Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Suite 5001, 901 S. Stewart St., Carson City, NV 89701.

Contact reporter Henry Brean at hbrean@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0350.