Statement by David Nimkin, Southwest Senior Regional Director, National Parks Conservation Association
“The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) applauds Utah Governor Gary Herbert’s decision to reject a controversial agreement with Nevada to share billions of gallons of water located along the Utah-Nevada border.  Governor’s Herbert’s decision was right for Utah and right for Great Basin National Park.”

“Governor Herbert’s decision deals a blow to Southern Nevada Water Authority’s proposal to build a pipeline over 300 miles from Las Vegas to the surrounding valleys near Great Basin National Park, where an undetermined amount of groundwater is stored in a massive underground aquifer.”

“The pipeline stands to negatively and forever impact Great Basin National Park and surrounding communities and ecosystems. Construction of the pipeline, estimated to cost over $15 billion, along with the Governor’s agreement, would have allowed Las Vegas to draw down groundwater from valleys between Delta, Utah and Great Basin National Park.”

Statement by Lynn Davis, Nevada Program Manager, National Parks Conservation Association
“The National Parks Conservation Association continues to oppose  the SNWA pipeline proposal based on the potential of dramatic degradation of Great Basin National Park’s varied ecosystems.  We also have spoken against the pipeline proposal based on the Environmental Protection Agency’s dire warnings of creating dust bowl conditions that would blow particulate matter into the park and the Wasatch Front.” 

“History warns us of the strong potential for dust bowl conditions created by the water mining project, which is proposed for construction at anguishing public expense. If allowed to move forward, this project could dry up the area and plunder Great Basin National Park, threaten the region’s rural life, and create health issues that would multiply economic and social losses.  The BLM already rejected the proposed pipeline extension into Snake Valley as a result of the water agency’s inability to determine impact to wildlife and surrounding communities – enough is enough.  Governor Herbert’s decision reinforces sensible decision making.  It’s time to scrap the idea of this pipeline all together.”

# # #  

Click here to view a letter sent to Governor Herbert by NPCA and leading Utah and Nevada organizations on March 29, urging the Governor to not sign the water proposal with Nevada.