OVERVIEW
The BLM is preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS) on a proposed action submitted by Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) in 2004 to obtain rights-of-way across land managed by the BLM. If granted, the rights-of-way will enable SNWA to develop groundwater rights authorized for development by the Nevada State Engineer. SNWA's need for the project is due to the growing population and associated increasing water demands in the Las Vegas Valley, along with the current reliance on the Colorado River to meet nearly all of southern Nevada's water resource needs. The project would convey up to 200,000 acre-feet per year of water, including up to 167,000 acre-feet per year of groundwater developed by SNWA and the remaining capacity provided for Lincoln County. The proposed facilities associated with this Project are described below:
Water Facilities
Pipelines: approximately 327 miles of buried water pipelines, between 10 and 84 inches in diameter
Pumping Stations: five pumping station facilities
Regulating Tanks: six regulating tanks, each approximately 3 million gallons in capacity
Buried Storage Reservoir: a 40 million-gallon buried storage reservoir
Water Treatment Facility: a 150 million-gallon per day facility
Groundwater Production Wells: 14 groundwater production well sites
Power Facilities
Power Lines: approximately 341 miles of 230 kilovolt (kV), 69 kV, and 25 kV overhead power lines
Electrical Substations: two primary electrical substations (230 kV to 69 kV) and five secondary substations (69 kV to 25 kV)
Hydroturbine Energy Recovery: four facilities
SNWA Agreement with Lincoln County Water District
In January 2006, SNWA and the Lincoln County Water District entered into an agreement allowing Lincoln County to obtain capacity rights in the SNWA Project. This agreement allows Lincoln County to transfer water through the SNWA pipeline for delivery of water from Spring and Lake Valleys to Lincoln County customers in Coyote Springs Valley. Lincoln County is responsible for obtaining the water rights for the water that would be conveyed and any actions required to develop and convey the water to the SNWA pipeline. While a specific agreement on a capacity amount has not yet been determined, it is anticipated that the SNWA Project may be used by Lincoln County to convey up to 36,000 acre-feet per year. Lincoln County does not currently have any specific plans or proposals for conveyance of water to and through the SNWA Project.
Water Rights Process
The SNWA project proposes to develop and convey up to 167,000 acre-feet per year of groundwater from six hydrographic basins. The Nevada Division of Water Resources, Office of the State Engineer is responsible for administering water law and managing Nevada's water resource. The water rights process is separate and distinct from the right-of-way process. The BLM will not make any decisions about the amount of water to be pumped nor will the agency decide what basins or points of diversion will be used.
The BLM participates in the water rights process in the same manner as any Nevada citizen. This includes protesting water rights applications that may affect resources for which BLM is responsible. BLM was a protestant on the Spring Valley water rights application submitted by SNWA. The Nevada State Engineer made a ruling for Spring Valley on April 16, 2007. The BLM withdrew their protest after completing a Stipulated Agreement with SNWA. The Stipulated Agreement establishes a process to develop and implement a monitoring, mitigation, and management plan. A Biological Work Group (BWG), Technical Review Panel (TRP), and Executive Committee are currently working towards the completion of these plans. The Stipulated Agreement corresponds only to the Spring Valley water rights applications. The work of the BWG, TRP, and Executive Committee is separate and distinct from the BLM Groundwater Projects Office, whose mission is to complete the EIS for the entire SNWA Groundwater Development Project (encompassing water rights in six valleys). However, the requirements set forth in the monitoring, mitigation, and management plans will be incorporated into the proposed action of the Environmental Impact Statement. For this reason, the Groundwater Project Office Staff work closely with the BWG, TRP, and Executive Committee.
The hearing for SNWA applications in Cave, Dry Lake, and Delamar valleys is scheduled for February 4-15, 2008. For more information, please visit the Nevada State Engineer website at http://water.nv.gov/.
The NEPA Process
The process BLM will use to determine whether the application for rights-of-way should be granted is comprehensive and includes compliance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other laws. NEPA is a tool designed to enhance and improve decision making by requiring federal agencies to take a close look at the potential impacts proposed actions will have on the environment. NEPA also requires agencies to consider reasonable alternatives to proposed actions. The NEPA process emphasizes agency cooperation and invites public participation. To meet NEPA's requirements, BLM has determined an EIS must be prepared. The chart to the right outlines the steps of the EIS Process. The box outlined in blue indicates where BLM is in the process.
Click here to view NEPA and other laws/regulations
Public participation is critical to helping ensure BLM has considered the views of the public in the decision on these groundwater development projects. BLM encourages you to get involved; we want to hear from you.
Programs
Information
>