Pipeline project’s benefits touted at water hearing

The Southern Nevada Water Authority wrapped up its case for rural groundwater Friday with testimony on the potential economic impacts at both ends of its proposed pipeline project.

Rick Holmes, the authority's deputy general manager for engineering and operations, testified about the "limiting factors" on future growth and development in the four rural valleys the authority hopes to tap.

He was followed in the afternoon by economic analyst Jeremy Aguero, whose testimony in the state water hearing in Carson City focused on the importance of Southern Nevada's economy and what could happen to it without a reliable water supply.

The authority is seeking state permission to tap up to 126,000 acre-feet of groundwater a year from Spring Valley in White Pine County and Cave, Dry Lake and Delamar valleys in Lincoln County. If stretched through reuse, that is enough water to supply more than 425,000 homes.

The water would be piped to Las Vegas through a multibillion-dollar pipeline network stretching more than 300 miles.

The hearing began Sept. 26 and is expected to last through Nov. 18.

Testimony will resume Oct. 31, when opponents of the project start calling witnesses and presenting evidence.

The Nevada Division of Water Resources will accept written comments through Dec. 2.

State Engineer Jason King is expected to rule on the authority's groundwater applications in late March.

In rulings issued in 2007 and 2008, the state's chief water regulator granted the authority less than half of its request in the four valleys. The state Supreme Court reversed that decision and sent the matter back for a second hearing.

One of the arguments against the proposed pipeline project is that it will carry away water that could fuel economic growth in rural Nevada.

But with little significant development in the valleys over the past 100 years and no nearby rail lines, major airports or interstate highways, Holmes said, "development requiring significant water resources is highly unlikely in the foreseeable future."

Attorney Simeon Herskovits, who represents many of those who have officially protested the project, said Holmes' description sounds like another place he knows: Southern Nevada 100 years ago. Back then, more people lived in White Pine County than did in Clark County, and no one could have predicted how dramatically things would change, he said.

During his testimony, Aguero said even the perception that Las Vegas lacks a reliable water source could halt investment in the community and further slow the state's economic engine.

"I think directly or indirectly, every business in Southern Nevada is dependent on a reliable source of water," he said.

The resort and tourism industry is especially vulnerable. If the Strip were to be hit by a water shortage, Aguero said, "it would make national news and, to be sure, visitors would tell their friends."

Aguero was the last of 25 witnesses called by authority as it presented its case over the first three weeks of the hearing.

The valley's wholesale water supplier is facing more formidable legal opposition this time around.

Attorney Paul Hejmanowski, from the Nevada law firm of Lionel Sawyer & Collins, has questioned many of the authority's witnesses.

He also has hinted at the possibility of a lawsuit down the road, noting at one point the need to get certain testimony on the record for use in future proceedings.

Hejmanowski represents the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which operates a cattle ranch in Spring Valley that could be threatened by large-scale groundwater pumping.

Despite the additional questioning, authority spokesman J.C. Davis said the hearing has offered no surprises.

"We've been saying that not much has changed with the legal or scientific evidence, and the first three weeks have bore that out. It will be interesting to see what the protestants bring to the table in their half."

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