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SALT LAKE CITY -- The state's top medical organization is taking a stand against a controversial water deal between Utah and Nevada. It would allow Las Vegas to drain water from aquifers in Utah's West Desert.
The Utah Medical Association worries that taking water from the Snake Valley groundwater system will result in serious dust storms. They say that dust could expose Utahns to a slew of dangers.
It happens often, most recently Tuesday: dust, rolling in from the West Desert, spoiling air quality downwind.
Now the state's top medical group, the 3,500-member Utah Medical Association, warns a proposed deal between Utah and Nevada to divert water from the Snake Valley could make the problem worse.
"We share the same concerns the doctors have," says Mike Styler, director of the Utah Department of National Resources. "My response to them would be that's the purpose we have the agreement: to keep water in the valley. In my worst-case scenario, I can't see over 25 percent of the water leaving the valley."
The deal includes monitoring of air quality and a provision to stop the pumps if the dust gets too bad.
"If this pipeline is built, this will represent the single biggest threat to air quality for the future of the state," Moench says.
Wednesday was last day of public comment. State officials say they will review those comments, make adjustments and come up with a finished product in next few months.
E-mail: jdaley@ksl.com
