Location
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Start Date
16-4-2011 12:30 PM
End Date
16-4-2011 2:00 PM
Description
A contentious debate is taking place in different sectors of the community on how to manage the states groundwater system. It is a battle whose outcome, regardless of who wins, will have a tremendous impact on the future of Las Vegas. Economic benefits always seem to downplay environmental considerations in the policy-making process often with serious consequences. This paper takes a look at the SNWAʼs Groundwater Development Project and provides a discussion of the issues for and against it. Groundwater is inexpensive, relatively abundant and accessible. However, over-pumping of groundwater can have significant environmental consequences, as well. It is our hope that the issues presented here will lead to more open dialogue so that an equitable solution to Las Vegas' water problem can be reached.
Keywords
Groundwater; Nevada – Las Vegas; Water resource development; Water resources – Management; Water rights; Water supply; Water transfer
Disciplines
Hydrology | Natural Resources Management and Policy | Sustainability | Water Resource Management
Language
English
Included in
Hydrology Commons, Natural Resources Management and Policy Commons, Sustainability Commons, Water Resource Management Commons
Groundwater: Solution to the Las Vegas water problem?
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
A contentious debate is taking place in different sectors of the community on how to manage the states groundwater system. It is a battle whose outcome, regardless of who wins, will have a tremendous impact on the future of Las Vegas. Economic benefits always seem to downplay environmental considerations in the policy-making process often with serious consequences. This paper takes a look at the SNWAʼs Groundwater Development Project and provides a discussion of the issues for and against it. Groundwater is inexpensive, relatively abundant and accessible. However, over-pumping of groundwater can have significant environmental consequences, as well. It is our hope that the issues presented here will lead to more open dialogue so that an equitable solution to Las Vegas' water problem can be reached.