56°F
weather icon Partly Cloudy

Fight over Vegas pipeline plan heads back to court

RENO (AP) — A battle over a massive pipeline project to carry billions of gallons of water to Las Vegas from rural counties along the Nevada-Utah line is heading back to court this week.

Senior District Judge Robert Estes will hear oral arguments Thursday and Friday in Ely concerning opponents’ challenge of water rights granted to the Southern Nevada Water Authority by Nevada’s state engineer, Jason King.

Last year, King granted the water authority permission to pump up to 84,000 acre-feet of groundwater a year from four rural valleys in Lincoln and White Pine counties. An acre-foot is the volume of water needed to cover an acre of land with water 12 inches deep — about 326,000 gallons.

Both sides say they’re confident heading into the hearings.

“We are confident that the science, the facts and the law support our case that the state engineer’s decisions should be reversed,’’ said attorney Simeon Herskovits, who represents over 350 Nevada and Utah plaintiffs in the hearings. “There isn’t the amount of water available to export without devastating effects upon senior water rights holders, the environment and the communities in the region.’’

Plaintiffs include ranchers, farmers, environmentalists, rural local governments, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Nation.

Water authority spokesman J.C. Davis said his agency is confident that Estes will rule in its favor. The water authority serves the desert gambling metropolis that is home to some 2 million people and attracts 40 million visitors annually.

“The process for granting water rights in Nevada is rigorous and has been in place for more than a century and the Nevada state engineer followed that process to the letter here,’’ he told The Ely Times. “We believe the judge’s review will verify that the Nevada state engineer acted in accordance with Nevada water law.’’

Las Vegas officials seek to build the 263-mile pipeline to reduce the city’s dependence on the drought-prone Colorado River. The Colorado flows into Lake Mead, southern Nevada’s main water source. A study projected moderate to severe water shortages over the next several decades.

Both sides agree Estes’ ruling won’t be the last word on the pipeline project.

Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook.
THE LATEST
Beatty Clinic gets tons of help with new a/c

BEATTY — The Beatty Foundation, an affiliate of AngloGold-Ashanti (AGA), did tons of good at the Beatty Clinic on March 22. Nine tons, exactly.

11th Annual Chili Cook-Off brings tempting tastings and festival fun

The 11th Annual International Chili Society and Silver State Chili Cook-Off took over Petrack Park this past weekend for three days filled with savory tastings, fun and activities and of course, some intense culinary competition.

Pahrump homeschoolers dance the night away

Pahrump Valley’s homeschool youth were whisked away into the Enchanted Forest this month, with local Moose Lodge #808 hosting a night of dancing and revelry in honor of an age-old adolescent right-of-passage, prom.

Looking for some family fun for Easter? Hop over to Simkins Park

Anyone looking for a fun, family-friendly festivity to enjoy this holiday can hop on over to Simkins Park to join the Mills family as they celebrate Easter Sunday with worship music, free food and an enormous 14,000-egg hunt that is sure to bring a smile to hundreds of faces.

Campground fees to increase at Death Valley National Park

DEATH VALLEY, Calif. — Visitors to Death Valley National Park can expect a slight increase in entrance fees for various campgrounds beginning on May 1.

Clerk staffer Cori Freidhof appointed interim leader

Nye County Clerk Mark Kampf’s time in office officially comes to a close on March 31 and deputy clerk Cori Freidhof has now been selected to assume that vacated seat. Freidhof will take over the office as of Monday, April 1 and fulfill the unexpired term ending Jan. 1, 2027.

Gaming can have impact on us

When does gaming cross the line from recreational relaxation to problematic behavior? How do video games and gambling relate? What resources are available for those who find themselves struggling to control their relationship with video games and gambling?

County eyeing impact fee increases

The cost to develop in Pahrump could go up, with a public hearing on a proposal to raise local impact fees set for next month.

Here’s who filed as political candidates in Nye County

Locals have filed their political candidacy as of March 15 and this year two major offices in Nye County will be up for grabs in the general election. Nye County residents have to first narrow down their preferred party candidate on June 11 in the primary and then vote in November to support their preferred candidates.