We understand that the Utah negotiating team is close to finalizing an agreement with the State of Nevada which would allow the Southern Nevada Water Authority to pump thousands of acre feet of water annually from Utah ’s Snake Valley to Las Vegas. As Governor, Gary Herbert will have the authority to approve or block any agreement. We are urging Utahns to call and/or email Herbert’s new Chief of Staff for his Transition Team, Jason Perry and tell him that NO Agreement should be signed at this time.

There is no urgency for any agreement. The Nevada State Engineer will not rule on the Snake Valley water applications for more than two years. If Utah were to sign an agreement now, it would undermine the integrity of the Engineer’s decision-making and hearing process. A premature agreement would undermine the positions of Millard County and the Utah Association of Counties, and place at risk people’s lives and prosperity in Snake Valley as well as create impacts to many other parts of Utah and its resources and people.

It would also jeopardize the ongoing BLM EIS process before the people even have an opportunity to voice their concerns about the Las Vegas Water Grab. A premature agreement could undermine all the past efforts to date by the ranchers and residents of the area, the Great Basin Water Network, the Goshute Tribe, and all the other opponents to this project. There are several legal cases now pending before the Nevada courts – and there will be more legal challenges to the Water Grab in the future. A premature agreement will undercut those critical legal efforts.

A premature agreement will change the political dynamics – and not for the better – in both Utah and Nevada with a critical election year coming in 2010. Much can change in the next two years. Utah needs to keep its options open, not cede its water before the legal, public and political processes run their course.

Any agreement now would be “selling out” Utah and its water! Please call and/or email today!

The new Herbert Chief of Staff and Transition Team director is Jason Perry. Email: jpperry@utah.gov phone: 801-538-8700. The new Herbert Rural Affairs Adviser is Beverly Evans. Email: bevans@utah.gov phone: 801-538-8638