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John Hollenhorst ReportingA document accidentally posted on the Internet has stirred a fierce controversy. Critics say it indicates Utah officials have already decided to allow Las Vegas to take large amounts of water from an aquifer that underlies Western Utah. State officials deny it.
Governor Huntsman promised western Utah residents no decision would be made until the science is in. But the accidentally disclosed document shows an agreement with Nevada is on a very fast track.
Among the questions: What does it mean? And is pressure politics playing a big role?
Las Vegas's growing thirst has pushed the search for water a long way, with proposed pipelines far into rural Nevada and along the Utah border near Baker, Nevada.
Las Vegas hopes to drill for 25,000 acre-feet of water in the Snake Valley Aquifer, which extends under four Utah counties.
Utah has the legal right to say "no". So far, the official answer is "Maybe. Maybe not," according to Natural Resources director Mike Styler.
Michael Styler, Utah Director of Natural Resources: "We have not made the judgement that they can take any water."
But a document was posted recently on a State of Utah website and then quickly withdrawn. It's a draft agreement between Styler and his counterpart in Nevada. It calls for Nevada to take "X" amount of water, the agreement to be signed in Baker on September 5th.
The document was posted accidentally, Styler says.
Michael Styler: "What you've got is an internal draft that we're working on to look at how we could structure an agreement with Nevada."
But critics worry that western Utah ranches, springs and wildlife will dry up. Scientific studies could take months or even years. They say Utah is rushing into a dangerous agreement, and the X's are stand-ins for a real number.
Allison Jones, Biologist, Wild Utah Project: "We've been told by employees in the state of Utah that that number has been determined, and it will be between 25 to 30-thousand acre feet a year."
Michael Styler: "Ha ha, I don't believe that. Well, maybe someone said that, but I don't believe that's true."
Reporter: "What is that person's portrayal of the climate in which this decision is being made?"
Allison Jones: "Under intense political scrutiny and intense political pressure."
Critics believe Nevada Senator Harry Reid is pushing for the agreement in return for supporting a Washington County land bill the Utah delegation wants.
Allison Jones: "Greasing the skids in congress for the Washington County bill, if Utah would hurry up and get the agreement going on the Snake Valley Water."
Styler doesn't dispute there's pressure, but he says the final agreement will be written to protect Utah's interests.
Michael Styler: "I listen to my boss. And my boss is the governor. And he says, 'I will stick by my word to those people that we're not going to let their water rights be damaged.'"
Styler says he suspects there is excess water available that Las Vegas could take without hurting Utah interests. But he promises the final agreement will be flexible enough to allow changes, if scientific studies prove otherwise
