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Apr. 04, 2008
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Gibbons now sees water pipeline as 'part of the solution' for valley

By HENRY BREAN
REVIEW-JOURNAL

In what some are calling his most definitive show of support so far for a proposed water pipeline to eastern Nevada, Gov. Jim Gibbons said Thursday that he considers the project "part of the solution" to water woes in the Las Vegas Valley.

Gibbons has publicly expressed concern about the pipeline in the past, and many opponents of the project viewed him as a potential ally.

During a news conference Thursday at his Las Vegas office, however, Gibbons said he would not oppose the water project.

"It's part of the overall solution. It's part of lessening our dependence on a single source of water in this region," he said.

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    • The Las Vegas Valley gets about 90 percent of its water from the Colorado River by way of Lake Mead.

    By 2015, the Southern Nevada Water Authority hopes to begin pumping groundwater to the valley through a pipeline network that will extend about 250 miles north and cost between $2 billion and $3.5 billion.

    The project targets groundwater basins in rural Clark, Lincoln and White Pine counties.

    Water authority General Manager Pat Mulroy said she was "delighted" by Gibbons' comments.

    "I'm glad that he recognizes that ... we need to have a backup supply and diversify our resources," she said.

    Asked if she previously considered the governor an opponent of the project, Mulroy said, "I thought he had some concerns. He obviously has these rural roots."

    Gibbons made headlines across the state in February when the Lahontan Valley News quoted him as saying he thought the pipeline project should be scrapped in favor of building desalination plants on the Pacific Coast.

    Pipeline opponents sent the governor a "thank you" letter after the comment was published, but on Thursday, Gibbons denied making such a statement.

    "They didn't quote me saying that, because I didn't say that," he said. "No, what I said is there may be alternatives that we can look at. I didn't say we should scrap that project."

    Bob Fulkerson is executive director of the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada, an advocacy group crusading against the pipeline.

    He said this isn't the first time the governor has come out against the water project and then "tried to backtrack." Gibbons did the same thing after a meeting two years ago with representatives from PLAN and several conservation groups, Fulkerson said.

    "I think we just have to wait another couple of months and see if he has another position. It's almost comical," Fulkerson said. "I think it shows the lights are on but nobody's home. I just think it's a real shame for the state of Nevada."

    Gibbons' statements on the pipeline project began with a speech Thursday morning at the presentation of the annual Las Vegas Perspective report.

    There, Gibbons said planning for the future is difficult but necessary where water is concerned.

    "Preparing ourselves for the next 30 years will not come without some difficult choices for us," he said.

    Gibbons noted the historic drought now affecting the West has left Lake Mead at its lowest level in history and made a case for looking elsewhere for water.

    "Ensuring the long-term vitality of Southern Nevada's economy is not so much about finding new water sources to support future growth, but rather, decreasing the region's dependence on the Colorado River as its sole source of water," he said.

    Gibbons' comments came about a week after he met privately in Las Vegas with water authority Deputy General Managers Dick Wimmer and Kay Brothers.

    Wimmer described the meeting as a "comprehensive briefing" for the governor on a wide range of water issues, not just the pipeline.

    "The important thing is that he has all the information," Wimmer said after the meeting. "I think we accomplished that."

    Review-Journal writer Molly Ball contributed to this report. Contact reporter Henry Brean at hbrean@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0350.



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    MARK wrote on April 24, 2008 01:01 PM: We are geting our water from the wrong source.There is all the water we need 1800 miles away called the Great Lakes. We should just go there and take their water. The people in those states around the great lakes are total friggin' morons. Lets give them some shiny beads and trinkets, thats all it will take VEGAS RULES


    DJ2 wrote on April 04, 2008 06:55 PM: Ely Resident,

    Part of the billions needed to fund this pipeline will be coming from the never-ending price increases that are constantly being forcefully jammed down the throats of consumers in the name of "Encouraging conservation" and "Increasing awareness that water resources have limits".

    These extra price increases are not to cover expenses of the Water District, they're just to "send a message" about conservation. Never-mind the fact that those on limited incomes have already gotten that message in a very personal and painful way...over and over.

    The Water District has become one of the most powerful bohemoths in the state. If you think the multi-layered corruption, mis-management, and exploitation of citizens was bad at the colonoscopy center, the Water District makes that look like a girl-scout day-camp.

    Close scrutiny of all the projects in which the Water District plays a key role would reveal some of the most agregious misuse of power and funds around. A good place to start shining a light would be at the Springs Preserve...


    Robert wrote on April 04, 2008 10:55 AM: The solution for southern Nevada is better planned growth limits and more efficient water restriction uses. $3.5 billion is a low figure at todays economy and inflation rate. The current water users and tax-payers should not be burdened with this expense.


    JR wrote on April 04, 2008 10:53 AM: To Ed and Rodman - one word: YOU. If you live in the greater Las Vegas area, this pipeline is for you, caused by you and will be paid for by you. If you would not water your lawns 8 days a week, 10 hours a day like most vegans or not live in communities who do so or not go to businesses who do so we wouldn't have a problem living on the .3% of the Colorado river allocated to us. But there is still hope, the pipeline is designed to augment our usage, if conservation still continues to grow then we won't need the water as much and less will get pumped. But let's not continue to leave everything up to the government, how about some old fashioned self determination and start saving water without being told to and only go to shopping centers that are doing the same. That's when things will change.


    jb wrote on April 04, 2008 09:22 AM: What a surprise; Mulroy must have slipped her hand up his arse and now has a new puppet. Gibbons should be recalled!


    Russ wrote on April 04, 2008 07:56 AM: Gee THS, you're an expert on the water problems too!


    Roger wrote on April 04, 2008 07:37 AM: First he defends the medical meltdown that exposed thousands to disease, now this? Gibbons is a scumbag who belongs in jail (for attempted sexual assault). What good has that A-hole ever done for Nevada?


    Rodman wrote on April 04, 2008 07:30 AM: To Ed; A one word answer to your question. THERESELF'S.


    ths wrote on April 04, 2008 07:27 AM: The pipeline cost is coming directly from the water rates. At the same time Southern Nevada while increasing growth has reduced its water use through conservation, updating the water infrastructure to reduce leaks and so much more.

    Unfortunately preventing future growth is almost impossible, but to ensure future growth is done in the smartest and most intelligent way is vital. Not just water smart homes, but we should be mandating that 10% of all new homes have solar panels.

    That would only be a start of heading into the right direction into sustainable growth.


    Ed wrote on April 04, 2008 06:27 AM: Not enough teachers, cops, fireman, Doctors, nurses. Our roads & prisons clogged. Lets spend billions to increase our population.
    Who are these people looking out for?


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