Vol. 3, No. 12
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April 15, 2006
Nevada's Online State News Journal
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Feature Story:
Water Outlook Good For Nevada But Developers Still Want More
Strong Winter Ends North Drought, Colorado System Good For Mead
by Johnny Gunn
Water! For the first several thousand years of our quest for good science, water along with fire, earth, and air were the four elements of life on earth. We of course know today that water is made up of two actual elements, oxygen and hydrogen, and even though we have come a long way baby, we don't do a very good job of caring for this elixir of life. We run thousands of gallons down the gutter every year, we let thousands more gallons escape back into the atmosphere from our man-made eye-candy ponds and lakes, and worse yet we squander the precious liquid gold on such items of mundanity as golf courses. How much water is polluted through ignorance or avarice is still another item that begs discussion.
The Silver State is often referred to as the desert state or more accurately as the high desert state and water is not something that should be treated with a lack of respect. Man cannot live on bread (love) alone. We must have our aqua pura by the gallons daily if we are to survive, and in Nevada there is just so much to go around. Knowing this, why can't we understand? Even those saying loudly, "there isn't enough to go around," insist on favoring continued growth.
Southern Nevada Water Supply
The winter of 2004-05 came as a blessing, knocking the crap out of a five-year drought, but not bringing lakes and reservoirs to the full line. This current winter, 2005-06, the one that doesn't seem to want to quit, has put the word drought on the endangered list. For how long? We live in a desert, which means that abundant water years are not regular occurrences. Hydrologists are saying that most lakes and reservoirs will be close to filled following spring run-off. Recharging underground aquifers will continue from the run-off. Lake Mead is not one of them. It has been drawn down so far it will take several years like this one to fill it.
That said however, rivers upstream from Mead are running full, the mountains in Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado have a heavy mantle of snow, but Mead will probably continue to fall. Federal water agencies say that the Colorado River system is at about 97 percent of normal this year, and although that is a far better number compared to the last several years they expect Lake Mead to fall another 22 feet or so. As one hydrologist reported, when you take out more than you put in, there is no gain.
The Colorado River and all the tributaries that feed it is responsible for life in seven states and part of Mexico, and Nevada's share is small compared to many others. The drinking water supply for Las Vegas comes mainly from Lake Mead. What to do then when the water allocation from Mead cannot be raised and builders and developers want to continue adding to the current population? For many the answer is, "take it from others that have it."
The Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) has proposed doing just that and is working toward developing a 300-mile pipeline from White Pine County in eastern Nevada to Clark County, passing through Lincoln County. Working in association with the Vidler Water Company SNWA wants to exploit hundreds of acre-feet of water rights in the mountainous eastern Nevada county. There is considerable opposition to the plan from White Pine County and considerable support for the plan from southern Nevada developers including Harvey Whittemore.
Coyote Springs
Lobbyist and land developer Harvey Whittemore is looking to build 85,000 homes and at least 16 professional level golf courses in the desert between Pioche and Las Vegas but doesn't have enough water to do so. Not willing to back off on such bold and large plans, Whittemore is attempting to strike a deal between the Vidler Water Company, a distributor of water, the largest holder of water rights in the state, Lincoln County to act as the purveyor since by law Vidler can't sell to anything other than a government or quasi-governmental agency, and the State Engineer Hugh Ricci. Hearings on the plans have been underway for several weeks and it isn't known when a decision might be reached.
A part of Whittemore's plan was to tap into the pipeline SNWA is planning for eastern Nevada, and there are serious legal questions around that. A developer is not supposed to also be a water agency for distribution. Whittemore, Vidler Water Company, and Lincoln County are currently involved in hearings on a reduced request for 5,000 acre-feet to be pumped from Kane Springs Valley. The question before Ricci and the engineer's office is whether the valley could withstand the pumping of that much more water. There are existing water rights in the valley.
Water from Kane Springs also flows into Lake Mead and federal hydrologists are against any further pumping of ground water from the valley near Coyote Springs. When looking at how to regulate water rights one of the key items is called recharge. Water taken from an aquifer must be replaced by recharge from winter and spring precipitation. The reverse should be obvious to even the slowest dullard.
Initially Whittemore was asking for as much as 50,000-acre feet to be piped to Coyote Springs. Ricci said in 2002 that he wouldn't issue any water rights for the area for at least five years. The current hearing takes place following that five-year period during which scientific studies on the basin were to be conducted. At least one water specialist has called the effort by Whittemore, Vidler, and Lincoln County in conflict with state law.
Testimony before the State Engineer has indicated that there are water applications on about 200,000-acre feet of water from Kane Springs Valley, that there are already water rights on some 16,000-acre feet, and there simply is not the recharge to fill the need. To drain an aquifer is not the purpose of water rights.
According to the Coyote Springs web site (http://www.coyotesprings.com) "Coyote Springs Investment, LLC is an affiliate of the Wingfield Nevada Group." Wingfield Springs is north of Sparks in northern Nevada and is one of the developments in the area of Spanish Springs in which thousands of homes were built without a water system for distribution or without a sewer system. Wells have been contaminated in the Spanish Springs area from overflowing septic systems. According to Reno City Councilman Dwight Dortch, this is an example of good planning. He wants this type of planning for a Washoe County development 30-miles north of Reno.
The Coyote Springs web site proclaims, "With its significant land and water holdings, The Wingfield Nevada Group is one of the largest private landowners and land development companies in the state." Whittemore does hold some water rights in Coyote Springs but nowhere near enough for hundreds of acres of golf courses and 85,000 homes. Initially he wanted to tap into the 300-mile pipeline that SNWA is trying to develop in White Pine County. He said his development is the savior for Lincoln County, economically.
The pipeline, pro and con
Along with agricultural activities in Nevada, opposition to SNWA's plan comes from urban and agricultural interests in Utah. It is believed that the water SNWA and Vidler would be pumping comes from an aquifer that straddles the border of the two states and would have an effect on Utah interests. Federal court action is anticipated but hasn't happened as yet. Within White Pine County there is opposition from agriculture and also from an awakening mining industry. White Pine County is also home to Wheeler National Park and the aquifer may also be feeding the park's springs and creeks.
Interestingly some of the people that are being implicated in the Galardi trial in federal court in Las Vegas are also supporters of big developers, and although the bribery and sex trial doesn't directly involve any of the major developers yet, there has to be some consternation among them. The City of Las Vegas, several City Council people, even Mayor Oscar Goodman are being investigated by the Nevada Attorney General's office concerning special treatment of developer Bill Walters. Water, reclaim water, and building large tracts of homes are at the center of the investigation. In order for Las Vegas and Clark County to grow, it must find a water source, and right now the only source available is from outside the general area.
Water then is more than just a means of staying alive and growing things it is a commodity and a political prize. Unscrupulous people are already involved in its distribution, and more will come along.
Northern Nevada Water Supply
In northern Nevada water is supplied by way of rivers and streams that empty out from the Sierra Nevada and from underground aquifers. There has been a snowpack building all winter that now is in excess of 150 percent of what is called normal. If there is a nice slow spring melt the lakes and reservoirs in the area will be filled and water will not be an issue during the long hot summer or into fall for the existing population. And the builders and developers are standing in line screaming for the right to double the population of Washoe County during the next 25 years. Water engineers have said publicly there is not enough water to fill even a third of the developments that are already on the books. "Take it from others that have it."
The various planning groups in Washoe County including the county planning commission, Reno planning commission and Sparks planning commission were consolidated by court order, and the court then created the County Planning Board made up of elected officials of the three entities. The court has demanded that a countywide plan be developed. Not to let an opportunity like this slide by, the developers have put together plans that will all but cover the county in asphalt and concrete. So far the planning board is bending to their will to the consternation of the planning commission and Supreme Court Justice James Hardesty, the court's official voice in the matter.
Interesting to many is the fact this board is looking to double the population of Washoe County within 25 years, to create vast communities as much as 30-miles from current city limits, and not to include the public in their plans. No vote of the people of Washoe County is planned and yet this board is attempting to change the way of life for every person in the county. Public hearings have been few, have not been openly promoted, and the board has not been solicitous of comments from the public. In other words, this is a done deal in their minds, and the public has no say in it.
While water is one of the best ways to judge a community's ability to grow, there are other factors that must be included in plans according to Hardesty, such as roads, schools, and sewer. The recent spate of development plans being discussed by the planning agencies have no plans for schools, roads, sewer systems, or other infrastructure. Justice Hardesty at recent hearings said those items were in his specific plans and asked numerous times why they weren't being considered by the planning board. He was virtually ignored yet he is the one that must give the OK on any master plan accepted by the board. A level of arrogance this strong should be investigated by a grand jury.
Developers have been arguing that it shouldn't be their responsibility to include infrastructure in submissions. A plan for 8,000 homes 30-miles north of Reno in an area known as Winnemucca Ranch has no infrastructure in the plans at all. There are no paved roads into the area, there are no plans written to submit to the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT). Water distribution and sewer systems are not included in the plans. There are no plans written for schools, parks, or other public facilities.
Water in northern Nevada is at such a premium that water rights on the Truckee River are selling for as much as $50,000 an acre foot. A subdivision 20-miles north of Reno has no water available at the site and the developers and planning agencies are working to create a pipeline in conjunction with Vidler Water Company to bring water from an agricultural area in northern California. Vidler Water Company owns more water rights in the state of Nevada than any other person or entity. Vidler is headquartered in Carson City.
Water rights hearings are going on currently in Carson City dealing with a number of plans around the state, some to create pipelines, others to be able to buy from Vidler or other distribution companies. While most in government have a firm belief in growth, it is becoming more and more obvious that serious planning must accompany the idea. Water is in short supply; that's why this is called a desert. Life style must also be taken into consideration when growth is discussed. It doesn't have to be the old bug-a-boo about "now that I'm here, close the door." Or the other one, "not in my backyard."
Before we drain White Pine County, before we double the population of Washoe County, before we add 200,000 people to Lincoln County let's see if we can fully understand the meaning of planning as it applies to the availability of water and other natural resources.
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