Date: Aug. 09, 2010

Sept 15, Snake Valley Water: A Great Concern of all Utahs

Will Snake Valley Water Diversion Damage Your Health?

September 1, 2010; Salt Lake City

The League of Women Voters Salt Lake is presenting an educational and informative Forum to discuss air quality and the water diversion plan at 7:00 PM on September 15, at the Salt Lake City Main Library, (210 East 400 South, Salt Lake City, 801- 524-8200). Speakers include Mike Styler, Mayor Peter Corroon, see below for additonal and details.

BACKGROUND: Las Vegas Nevada proposes to provide water for its further growth by building a pipeline 200+ miles long to carry water from a series of wells drilled into several underground water reservoirs at the foot of the mountains adjacent to the Great Basin National Park. One part is called the Snake Valley Aquifer. It supplies water for wells, ranches, towns, creeks, streams, and springs in Nevada’s southeast and Utah’s southwest.

SAD BUT TRUE: If water tables drop as a result of the proposed Las Vegas water diversion from the Snake Valley aquifer (they always have, historically, when large-scale aquifer pumping takes place), the area will become a much drier, more seriously desert-like area, freeing much toxic dust to blow in the wind. The dust includes heavy metals--lead & cadmium, among others; and radioactive remains from nuclear testing done years ago. Now partially stabilized by the presence of dryland plants that can withstand drought, blowing dust will become a gigantic problem if the plants die out.

HOW ABOUT THE AIR? Discussion of the Snake Valley Water Diversion has so far not included air quality questions. Nevertheless, fine dust damages human health in many ways: ----Small particles, when inhaled, are very damaging to lungs; Wasatch Front air pollution already causes many deaths.
----A study done in Mexico City showed lead and other heavy metals can enter the brain through the nose and the nerves, affecting intelligence. The particles must be very small, just like those in the desert dust. If the water table drops, and current plant life dies, these will be major problems.

WHY HAVE A FORUM? The Las Vegas water diversion is controversial; feelings are strong on both sides of the argument, and real information is hard to get.The League of Women Voters of Salt Lake, a nonpartisan organization which supports voter registration and an educated electorate, believes it is essential for the well being and health of Utahns to find out what the effects of the Las Vegas water diversion will be, and to work to prevent any bad outcomes.

SPEAKERS: There will be two speakers to the facts of the water diversion; then Mayor Corroon, who disagrees with the State’s position; two more speakers will address "what-if"---the predictable effects if the water level is affected. There will be audience input and question opportunities. The speakers in order of presentation are:

Vic Heilweil, USGS Research Hydrologist and Groundwater Specialist, will be present to discuss their best estimate about probable effects of withdrawing water, including how much can be taken without lowering the water tables. The USGS is doing a comprehensive study of the Great Basin water flows, and is the leading authority on underground water in the United States.

Mike Styler, Executive Director Utah Dept Natural Resources; Division of Water Rights, will describe the official State of Utah position; the State believes current water law leaves Utah little choice but to agree. (Mike Styler will represent Governor Herbert, who is unable to attend.)

Peter Corroon, Salt Lake County Mayor, & gubernatorial candidate, will explain how his approach to the Snake Valley Diversion differs from that of the current administration.

Dr. Brian Moench, Chair of Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment, and a practicing anesthesiologist, will discuss how the bad air quality along the Wasatch Front is already affecting our health, and why more dust from the southwest desert will make it worse; he will say over 1,000 Utah deaths per year can be attributed to inhaling dust and pollution.

Professor Daniel McCool, Director of Environmental Studies, University of Utah, will discuss additional environmental hazards if the water table drops.

Fraser Nelson, Executive Director of The Community Foundation of Utah, will moderate / facilitate the discussion.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
For further information on the Forum, Linda Johnson, Co-President, LWV-SL, gostalinda@aol.com, 801-277-4499; mobile 801-870-5006

For further information on the League of Women Voters Salt Lake: www.lwvutah.org.

To interview or contact Individual speakers:
Vic Heilweil, heilweil@usgs.gov
Mike Styler, mikestyler@utah.gov,
Peter Corroon, michellesch46@gmail.com (his press rep.)
Brian Moench, drmoench@yahoo.com,
Dan McCool, dan.mccool@poli-sci.utah.edu,
Fraser Nelson, fraser@utahcf.org,

©2010 League of Women Voters Salt Lake | 3804 Highland Drive Suite 8D,Salt Lake City UT 84106

Date: Jun. 11, 2010

SNAKE VALLEY DAYS FESTIVAL JULY 23-24, BAKER, NEVADA

SNAKE VALLEY FESTIVAL, BAKER, NEVADA (NEXT TO GREAT BASIN NATIONAL PARK)

COME JOIN THE FUN ON JULY 23 AND 24, 2010!

FRIDAY, JULY 23 2010 (All times Pacific Daylight Time)
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12 - 2 pm Brown Bag Lunch and Workshop with Linda Hussa Join renowned writer Linda Hussa to learn about her successful experiences in fighting a water grab in Reno and secrets of good writing. At the Baker community center

2 - 4:30 pm Water Tour Visit some of the places in Snake Valley that could be impacted by the Las Vegas water grab

2 - 4 pm Film Festival See news clips that cover the water issue at the Baker community center

4 - 5 pm Friday Frenzy Silent Auction Bid for your favorite items quickly--this silent auction will only last one hour! At the Baker community center.

5 pm Pioneer Day Potluck Dinner Don't miss the Dutch oven fried chicken and potatoes at the Garrison LDS Church to celebrate Utah's Pioneer Day! Bring a side dish or a dessert.

TBD Special National Park Programs Join a park ranger at Great Basin National Park for a special program. Check at a park visitor center for times and locations.

SATURDAY, JULY 24 (All times Pacific Daylight Time)
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7:30 - 9:30 am Pancake Breakfast Get a great start to your day with this delicious breakfast on the main street in Baker

8 am - 12 pm Community Yard Sale Find treasures to take home with you

8 am - 2 pm Booths Browse the wide selection of booths for books, yummy treats, arts and crafts, and much more.

9 am - 2:30 pm Silent Auction Bid on your favorite items and help raise money

10 am Pioneer Day Parade Come see or join in an unforgettable, fun parade

10 am - 2 pm Food Court Recharge with some tasty lunch

11 am - 2 pm Kids Games Fun for the young and young-at-heart outside of Baker Hall

11 am - 5 pm Film Festival Watch clips about the water grab and other Snake Valley related videos at the Border Inn

1 pm - 4 pm Entertainment Enjoy author Linda Hussa's reading, listen to cowboy poetry, clap along with musical acts at Baker Hall

6 pm Barbeque at the Border Inn Savor freshly barbequed food and good company

8 pm Auction and Dance Bid on fantastic items during a live auction and then dance the night away at the Border Inn

8:30 pm-midnight Night Sky Program Check out the extra-clear night skies in the Great Basin through powerful telescopes until late in the night at the Lehman Caves Visitor

Date: Mar. 18, 2010

Protesting the re-filed Southern Nevada Water Applications by the Deadline.

Protesting the re-filed Southern Nevada Water Applications by the Deadline.

Protestants should be prepared by April 15, 2010 to have their protests to the State Engineer's Office either by U.S. Mail or in person. There are SE offices in Carson City and Las Vegas. See
the detailed information at:

http://www.greatbasinwater.net/news/news_display.php?id=425

(Please copy and paste the above address into your browser or simply go to the home page and click on the article: "PROTESTING THE SOUTHERN NEVADA WATER GRAB".

Date: Mar. 06, 2010

Tues, Mar 16: Workshop on Supreme Court Ruling

Tues, Mar 16: Workshop on Supreme Court Ruling

The Nevada State Engineer will hold a workshop at 12:30 P.M, Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at the Nevada Legislature, Room 1214, 401 S. Carson Street, Carson City, NV and will be teleconferenced to Room 4406 in the Grant Sawyer Office Building, 555 E Washington, Las Vegas, NV.

"The Legislature [in the emergency financial crisis special session ending Mar 1] urged the State Engineer to hold a hearing on potential resolutions of the issues presented by the [Nevada Supreme Court's] Great Basin Water Network decision."

Please come.

Date: Feb. 24, 2010

Ensuring Stability in Southern Nevada's Water Supply, Feb 26th

Ensuring Stability in Southern Nevada's Water Supply

Reminder - Join us at the open house and symposium featuring scientific leaders and stakeholders who will discuss how climate variability influences the decisions we're making regarding the long-term water source for Southern Nevada.


Participate in a panel discussion on Friday, February 26th from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the DRI Laboratory Bay Underground Weighing Lysimeter located at 1500 Buchanan Blvd. in Boulder City. Click here for information.

Date: Dec. 29, 2009

Great Basin/Mojave Desert Climate Change Workshop, April 20-22, 2010, Las Vegas, Nevada

Natural Resource Needs Related to Climate Change in the Great Basin & Mojave Desert: Research, Adaptation, Mitigation

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Geological Survey, the National Park Service, and the Environmental Protection Agency, in collaboration with several other agencies and organizations, are sponsoring a workshop focusing on natural resource research, adaptation, and mitigation needs related to climate change in the Great Basin and Mojave Desert. The workshop, will be held April 20-22, 2010 at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, and will examine how climate change is affecting natural resources in deserts of the western U.S., as well as the land, water, and species management and research needs that are essential to address in the coming decade.

Workshop objectives include:

• Increase understanding of climate change processes and their effects on the physical systems and biota of the Great Basin and Mojave Desert
• Provide the "best available" scientific information for adapting to change
• Examine research and management needs
• Evaluate management constraints and determine potential solutions
• Develop effective research and management collaborations for addressing climate change into the future

The workshop offers a valuable opportunity for scientists and natural resource managers to gather for a discussion of their information needs and opportunities. The poster session will be a highlight of the workshop, please consider presenting your research results and project information in this forum. For more information, please visit: http://www.wr.usgs.gov/workshops/

Date: Dec. 09, 2009

Central Nevada Water Authority hosts forum in Reno Dec 17.

A broad coalition of Nevada, Utah and California Counties are holding an informative session to look at the science and politics of pumping groundwater in remote desert valleys.

Attending will be the head of the Bureau of Land Management, Bob Abbey, as well as numerous County and State experts in hydrology and land management.

For more information and for agenda please contact CNRWA Executive Director Steve Bradhurst at 775-747-2038 or via e-mail at:

info@cnrwa.com

GREAT BASIN WATER FORUM AGENDA -- DEC 17, 2009, NV ENERGY, RENO

Date: Dec. 09, 2009

GREAT BASIN WATER FORUM AGENDA -- Dec 17, 2009, NV Energy, Reno

A broad coalition of Nevada, Utah and California Counties are holding an informative session to look at the science and politics of pumping groundwater in remote desert valleys.

Attending will be the head of the Bureau of Land Management, Bob Abbey, as well as numerous County and State experts in hydrology and land management.

For more information please contact CNRWA Executive Director Steve Bradhurst at 775-747-2038 or via e-mail at:

info@cnrwa.com

Also see the website below:

http://www.earthknowledge.net/projects/cnrwa/cnrwanews/cnrwaagenda/

Date: Nov. 17, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving! November 26, 2009

Date: Oct. 29, 2009

Green River: Divided Waters", airs Nov. 9 at 9 PM and Nov 15 at 6 PM

"Green River: Divided Waters" includes interviews with players in the controversy and also looks at the history -- from John Wesley Powell's first expedition into the unknown river in 1869 to the Echo Park Dam, where environmentalist David Brower said, "You're not going to flood this national park," to the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and more recently to oil shale and gas development.


The documentary airs Nov. 9 at 9 p.m., and again on Nov. 15 at 6 p.m. But KUED will host a free screening of this Diverse Voices program on Nov. 3, at 7 p.m., at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts, 410 S. Campus Drive, on the University of Utah campus.

Date: Oct. 20, 2009

October 27: 9 AM: Snake Valley Aquifer Advisory Council Meet & Video Conference

Snake Valley Aquifer Advisory Council

UT Capitol Hill Complex
East Building
Olmstead Room
October 27, 2009
9:00 am

video conferencing will be available at
West Deset HS from 9:00 am
EskDale HS from 9:15 am

The meeting also will be available in streaming video (details to follow)

Date: Oct. 01, 2009

Fall brings brilliant color to Snake Valley and Great Basin National Park

The changing season has brought a profusion of gold and red and yellow to the peaks and valleys of the entire region. Come and enjoy the feast for the eye and soak in the season.

Date: Sep. 30, 2009

Comment on the UT/NV Agreement Ends September 30, 2009

Utah proposes to sign an agreement to permit the Southern Nevada Water Authority to pump 36,000 acre feet of water per year from Utah’s Snake Valley to Las Vegas. This deal could devastate area ranching, wildlife and recreation, and turn this West Desert valley into a dust bowl affecting the air quality and snowpack of the Wasatch Front.

The State will accept written comments through September 30, but will not hold any hearings to gather oral comments on this draft agreement, so we invite the public to join the Utah Association of Counties and the Great Basin Water Network for a Citizens’ Hearing on the future of the Snake Valley:

For more information, visit greatbasinwaternetwork.org

Date: Sep. 18, 2009

Cave, Dry Lake, Delamar Oral Argument Hearing, 9 AM, Sept. 25, 2009, White Pine County Courthouse, Ely, NV

Cave, Dry Lake, Delamar Oral Argument before Judge Robison, 9 AM, Sept. 25, 2009, White Pine County Courthouse, Ely, NV

Date: Sep. 04, 2009

CITIZENS’ HEARING ON SNAKE VALLEY WATER DEAL: Wednesday, September 9th from 6:30 to 9:30 P.M. At the Salt Lake County Government Complex 2100 South State Street, Room #N-2003.

Utah proposes to sign an agreement to permit the Southern Nevada Water Authority to pump 36,000 acre feet of water per year from Utah’s Snake Valley to Las Vegas. This deal could devastate area ranching, wildlife and recreation, and turn this West Desert valley into a dust bowl affecting the air quality and snowpack of the Wasatch Front.

The State will accept written comments through September 30, but will not hold any hearings to gather oral comments on this draft agreement, so we invite the public to join the Utah Association of Counties and the Great Basin Water Network for a Citizens’ Hearing on the future of the Snake Valley:

Wednesday, September 9th from 6:30 to 9:30 P.M.

Salt Lake County Government Complex
2100 South State Street, Room #N-2003.

Please Speak Out - Help us put the brakes on this flawed and rushed deal! It’s our water! It’s our air!

For more information, visit greatbasinwaternetwork.org

Date: Sep. 02, 2009

NV/UT Agreement comment period ends 9/30/2009

COMMENT PERIOD ON SNAKE VALLEY UTAH-NEVADA AGREEMENT EXTENDED TO SEPTEMBER 30
Comment period on Snake Valley Utah-Nevada Agreement Extended to September 30, 2009.

Get a copy of the agreement:

http://naturalresources.utah.gov/about-dnr/snake-valley-groundwater-agreement.html
http://water.nv.gov/

Written comments about the agreement will be accepted until September 14, 2009.

Comments may be sent by e-mail to:

snakevalley@utah.gov
snakevalley@water.nv.gov

Comments may be submitted in writing to:

Snake Valley Agreement
c/o Utah Department of Natural Resources
Division of Water Rights
1594 West North Temple, Suite 220
SLC, UT 84114

Snake Valley Agreement
c/o Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Suite 5001
901 S. Stewart St.
Carson City, NV 89701


CONTACT

UTAH: Tammy Kikuchi, Utah Dept. of Natural Resources, office: (801) 538-7326, cell: (801) 918-1290;- tkikuchi@utah.gov

NEVADA: Bob Conrad, Nevada Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources, office: (775) 684-2712, cell: (775) 636-7959, bconrad@dcnr.nv.gov

Date: Jun. 01, 2009

Snake Valley Festival - Success, 3 days of fun. Thanks to all who made the event possible.

SNAKE VALLEY DAYS: Success and 3 days of fun. Thanks to everyone who made the event possible.

Date: May. 04, 2009

May 2009: We Shall Remain: The Goshute Documentary on KQED

Before anyone else would try to write their history, five principle nations of indigenous people called the Great Basin Region we now know as Utah their homeland.

http://www.kued.org/productions/weshallremain/goshute/trailer

With their own languages and dress and views of the world. With their own customs and rituals and pathways to survival, they flourished for generations in an area that would one day be called “Utah.” Theirs is the first story of people in this place.

For the last two hundred years their story has struggled for survival. Their language and histories in danger of being lost forever.

In the Spring of 2009 KUED teams with PBS to celebrate and preserve the words, the stories and the ways of the Ute, the Paiute, the Northwestern Shoshone, the Goshute [May 4 on KUED] and the Navajo people.

We Shall Remain…The Utah Voices.

http://www.kued.org/productions/weshallremain/goshute/trailer

Date: Dec. 17, 2008

Snake Valley Hearing date pushed ahead to Fall 2011.

The Southern Nevada Water Authority asked for a one year delay in the Snake Valley hearing and the NV State Engineer gave them instead two years. SNWA complained that it hadn't completed its groundwater model for the BLM's EIS so the hearing should be delayed and the State Engineer apparently agreed.