Walker River Acquisition Developments Taking Shape
By: Doug Busselman, Executive Vice President
The must-read, summer’s highlight has arrived with the availability of the “Walker River Basin Acquisition Program” Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). It can be obtained by download by visiting this link on the Bureau of Reclamation’s Website.
Comments from the public will be received until September 14, 2009 and a series of public meetings will be held to allow for verbal or written input. These meetings include:
This EIS process, carried out by the Bureau of Reclamation, is an interesting use of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), a process that is supposed to offer a public and transparent view of decisions federal agencies are making before taking actions. In this particular case the evaluation involves water purchases made by the University of Nevada Higher Education System, using portions of the $70 million they received through a special arrangement with U.S. Senator Harry Reid.
It is not clear what authority the EIS actually has over whether the University of Nevada Higher Education System goes forward with the acquisitions or not and the news release announcing the document availability states, “Reclamation does not have decision-making authority for the Acquisition Program, is not authorized to approve the Program implementation, and does not have control over the expenditure of federal funds by the recipient.”
Meanwhile it seems very likely that the University of Nevada Higher Education System isn’t bound to follow the results of the final decision for the EIS before going forward with their program for purchasing of water.
If the impression is starting to form in your mind that this process is a sham, geared to give the impression of being a legitimate process, without any of the actual linkages to make it so – that same thought has crossed more than your mind.
U.S. Senate Working On Lease Program For Walker River:
Before making commitments to sell water to the University of Nevada Higher Education System, water right owners might want to pay close attention to the developments taking place back in Washington, D.C. the last week of July. Word has it that because of the time slot available with Senator Reid putting off health care floor action, a possible piece of legislation involving some funding for a water leasing program will be given consideration.
Leasing water to go into Walker Lake is a far better solution than selling water to the University System. Payments will provide income for those who wish to participate without trading away the integrity of the system or future availability for agricultural production.
The must-read, summer’s highlight has arrived with the availability of the “Walker River Basin Acquisition Program” Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). It can be obtained by download by visiting this link on the Bureau of Reclamation’s Website.
Comments from the public will be received until September 14, 2009 and a series of public meetings will be held to allow for verbal or written input. These meetings include:
- Monday, August 17 (6 p.m. to 8 p.m.) Reno – Rancho San Rafael County Park, Main Ranch House, 1595 N. Sierra ST.
- Tuesday, August 18 (6 p.m. to 8 p.m.) Yerington – Casino West Convention Center, 11 North Main St.
- Wednesday, August 19 (6 p.m. to 8 p.m.) Wellington – Smith Valley Community Center, 2783 Highway 208
- Thursday, August 20 (6 p.m. to 8 p.m.) Hawthorne – Mineral County Public Library, First & “A” Street
This EIS process, carried out by the Bureau of Reclamation, is an interesting use of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), a process that is supposed to offer a public and transparent view of decisions federal agencies are making before taking actions. In this particular case the evaluation involves water purchases made by the University of Nevada Higher Education System, using portions of the $70 million they received through a special arrangement with U.S. Senator Harry Reid.
It is not clear what authority the EIS actually has over whether the University of Nevada Higher Education System goes forward with the acquisitions or not and the news release announcing the document availability states, “Reclamation does not have decision-making authority for the Acquisition Program, is not authorized to approve the Program implementation, and does not have control over the expenditure of federal funds by the recipient.”
Meanwhile it seems very likely that the University of Nevada Higher Education System isn’t bound to follow the results of the final decision for the EIS before going forward with their program for purchasing of water.
If the impression is starting to form in your mind that this process is a sham, geared to give the impression of being a legitimate process, without any of the actual linkages to make it so – that same thought has crossed more than your mind.
U.S. Senate Working On Lease Program For Walker River:
Before making commitments to sell water to the University of Nevada Higher Education System, water right owners might want to pay close attention to the developments taking place back in Washington, D.C. the last week of July. Word has it that because of the time slot available with Senator Reid putting off health care floor action, a possible piece of legislation involving some funding for a water leasing program will be given consideration.
Leasing water to go into Walker Lake is a far better solution than selling water to the University System. Payments will provide income for those who wish to participate without trading away the integrity of the system or future availability for agricultural production.
Posted by Doug Busselman at 7/24/2009 3:51 PM 
Categories: Walker River
Tags: Water Grab Walker Lake University of Nevada Walker River
Categories: Walker River
Tags: Water Grab Walker Lake University of Nevada Walker River
Comments