Nevada Water: Very Strange Stuff
November 8th, 2007Last week, I got to emcee Fred Thompson’s public appearance at Stoney’s.
Channel 10 (one of a handful of government TV stations in Las Vegas) asked me some questions prior to the candidate appearing. As Beers’ Blog readers already know, I believe the presidential candidate - of either party - who aggressively promises to change federal law to allow a cheap, no-harm-to-any-party, and eminently sensible solution to Clark County’s water shortage would likely win Nevada, because our citizens care much more about our real water problems than a handful of our politicians’ blustery Yucca Mountain.
My idea is to amend federal law to allow the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) to buy ranches downstream from us on the Colorado River, fallow them, and draw into Nevada their water allotments, through our Lake Mead water intakes, whose capacity is double today’s requirements. This plan harms no one, solves Clark County’s water shortage, and costs very little compared to the costs already incurred in the earliest stages of sucking Northeastern Nevada’s water table dry - much less the costs yet to come. My plan avoids the sure environmental ruin of the current plan, is much cheaper and faster, and is a market solution.
I explained that the great mystery was why SNWA so steadfastly refuses to discuss my idea, or to explain what is wrong with it. I have been advocating this plan for more than a year, with nothing but SNWA’s cold shoulder. The reporter noted, correctly, that my proposal made a lot of sense. She said she would be putting together a show on water issues soon, and wanted me to schedule a taping for November 8 to get me on tape saying what I had just told her. I agreed. As added incentive, she said she would be interviewing Pat Mulroy, the boss of SNWA, and would find out what the problem with my idea is.
So, tonight, I showed up.
The reporter explained that she had talked to Pat Mulroy, and my plan wouldn’t work. The reasons were “too complicated” so she switched my interview to talking in generic (and boring) terms about the upcoming Presidential caucus.
If I were the editor, I would relegate the footage of my interview tonight straight to the control room floor, do not pass go. If not - well, you can see it Friday night at 8pm on KLVX Channel 10 in Vegas.
The bigger question remains… what did Pat Mulroy do or say to get public discussion of my idea squashed on Government TV? It’s almost as if there are some politically powerful entities out there who SNWA is catering to who would profit from building the pipeline to Northeasten Nevada, and who don’t care if the whole idea is stupid, expensive and environmentally damaging.
By the way, SNWA this week increased their underestimate of the pipeline’s cost to being equivalent to the entire Nevada State Government’s annual general fund. This is double the underestimate from two years ago, and the pipeline’s start is likely more than two years in the future.
November 9th, 2007 at 9:42 pm
Was there EVER a government project that was ever completed on-time and on-budget? How about within 150% of budget? I’m guessing at least 50% over whatever the last budget is before building is commenced, and at least 3 years behind schedule.
We can’t even build a regional justice center. What makes anyone think they can pull off this white elephant?
November 9th, 2007 at 11:58 pm
“Money Talks. BS Walks”
You can’t tell me that people in authority arem’t getting their palms greased.
Our elected officials go into politics to get rich, not to do what we elect them to do. Look at Sen. Harry Reid! He talks out of both sides of his mouth. If you are for something, so is he. If you are against something, so is he. Harry will only do what is good for Harry and his paying friends. My Openion!
Bob Beers is the only one that is trying to do what is right and good for the people of Nevada. It is time for the people of Nevada to stop listening to the lies of Harry Reid and get behind Bob Beers.
November 10th, 2007 at 2:04 am
As a Congressional candidate in 2008 ( jumping early into the race to unseat incumbent Democrat Party Shelley Berkley ) I pledge to modify the Federal government’s Colorado River fresh water allocation formula, among the seven basin states, known as the Santa Fe Compact of 1922. The fact is out of the five ( 5 ) trillion gallons of available Coloeado river water, Southern Nevada gets only two ( 2 ) percent or 100 billion gallons. Recently SNVWA’s Patricia Mulroy wants to spend an estimated $4 billion to build an elaborate water.pipeline system to bring fresh water from White Pine County to the Las Vegas valley. This plan would only bring an additonal 20 billion gallons and at the same time may also destroy the way of life of the rural folks up there. Wouldn’t it be better to renegotiate the 1922 Santa Fe Compact since Clark County now has about 1.9 million people versus just a few thousands about 90 years ago ? Over the years, the Nevada congressional delegation has fallen on the job, when it comes to bring in home the proverbial “bacon”, including federal asset such as fresh water . . . Edward “Mr Clean ” Hamilton , candidate for Congress in Nevada 1, ethamilton@sbcglobal.net or text your comment to 7028823786.
November 10th, 2007 at 2:26 am
Where does John Ensign stand on this issue. Never mind Harry Reid, who is a national disgrace. I only hope enough Nevadans can read and understand the stupidity which emanates from Mr. Reid.
November 10th, 2007 at 6:04 am
I grew up on a ranch in Colorado and am now a permanent resident of Lincoln County. From my past experience with big cities “buying up” land and water rights, I can only say that the Northeast Pipeline project is a disaster. It will certainly put all of the rural communities flat on their backs. The ranching and farming industry will all but disappear.
What I would like to know is(for all of the country and not just Nevada)who is going to feed this Nation when all of the water goes to cities and golf courses? Without water, agriculture is not possible.
Another issue that had bothered me for a very long time is all of the “Water Themes” on the strip as well as the man made lakes in developments. If you can’t water a lawn in Vegas, the casino’s should not be allowed to waste water on “attractions”. Sure they are nice to look at but with the water shortage here in Nevada, they are insane! I wonder how much water is evaporated on just one hot summer day from the Strip water themes?
November 10th, 2007 at 7:46 am
Bob is the only one that REALLY cares about the taxpayer. The rest care about padding their pockets and those
of their friends. Maybe Bob should get on Heidi Harris’s show
and discuss these ideas???
November 10th, 2007 at 7:51 am
http://www.elynews.com/articles/2007/11/08/news/news02.txt
If, as one of the readers in the above news link opines, Scary Harry Cadaver’s children have various contracts with SNWA for the pipeline deal, it could explain a lot. So the reporter may be correct: all that genealogy is pretty complicated Bob.
November 10th, 2007 at 11:50 am
You have a degree in economics and are a CPA. Possibly a communications degree would have enabled you to understand the complexities of Pat Mulroy’s reasoning as apparently the reporter did. I admire your plan Bob. It simply makes sense.
November 11th, 2007 at 8:28 am
The Mayor, the Commission, & Pat Mulroy. Ever see Chinatown? Know who Harvey Whittemore is?
It all comes down to land…CHEAP LAND!
What if Lake Mead held more than enough water to sustain 5x our population? Think about it…it’s just a container. Reduce surface area for evaporation, dig out the silt on the bottom, put in underground storage tanks…etc. Make sense?
BUT then there’s no cheap land. If land is fallow it is cheap. Water moves in both directions when you put in pipes to supposedly “drain” it. You also now have a water-way infrastructure to support a new community. Perfect for developers.
Follow the money…and you will find the truth!
November 12th, 2007 at 2:43 pm
Coyote Springs!
November 13th, 2007 at 9:35 am
Mulroy maintains her position & future ones because she is THE MOUTH for the political agenda hardtied to Fed funds.
Our immediate concern is the FLUORIDATION of our water ONLY in Clark County. You may not drink it, but breate the fumes when bathing and food is cooked in it.
“Fluoride is used to produce highoctane gasoline; to smelt such key metals as aluminum, steel, and beryllium, to enrich uranium; to make computer circuit boards, pesticides, ski wax, refrigerant gases, Teflon plastic, carpets, waterproof clothing, etched glass, bricks and ceramics and numerous drugs, such as Prozac and Cipro.”THE FLUORIDE DECEPTION; Christopher Bryson ISBN l-58322-526–9(alk.paper)
Looking to get fluoride removed from the ‘mandatory additivies to our water’ list even though the major advocate, a member of the 1999 legislature, is now a Clark County Commissioner.
Any suggestions, hints, persistence accepted & needed.
Way to go, SENATOR BEERS!