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Some 50 demonstrators recently showed up at the Federal Building in Salt Lake City to call attention to a Las Vegas proposal to pipe water from natural underground aquifers in the arid Ely area that extend into Utah.
It is good they did!
This is an issue that demands widespread attention because so many questions about the proposal remain unanswered. Think of it – 500 miles of pipelines, as proposed, hooked up to wells in a desert region, delivering 25,000 acre feet of precious water each year 240 miles away to Las Vegas.
The Southern Nevada Water Authority claims there is plenty of surplus water in the aquifers to justify and supply the pipeline. Long time Snake Valley ranchers, on the other hand, say you can’t take that much water without drying up the valley and adversely affecting agriculture and the extended environment.
Who is right?
At this point in time, it is impossible to know. Thorough studies are yet to be done. Empirical data is lacking!
And that is why KSL appreciates the fact the demonstrators made their way to Salt Lake with their signs and their chants. They reminded us that a lot of questions need to be asked, thoroughly explored and answered before any Utah water flows south to Las Vegas.
