In what could be a new strategy by southern Nevada to ensure that there is water to pump from Sping Valley regardless of the result of the pending water application protest through purchase of a number of water rights.  The Las Vegas Review-Journal has reported that three ranches water rights’ have been bought in Spring Valley.  Most recently the Phillips Ranch and its 550 acre-feet of groundwater and 1200 acre feet of surface water were bought by the SNWA for $2.16 million.  This is a much smaller purchase then July purchases that totaled 16,700 acre feet of water at a cost $26.9.  The SNWA claims the water was not bought to be pumped to Vegas, but rather to protect environmental values of the area such as the sensitive Shoshone Ponds that are located next to the Phillips Ranch.  At this point they have not bought enough water to refute this theory, but its credibility will be tested if more ranches and their water rights are bought.