SUBMITTED NEWS RELEASE FROM GREAT BASIN WATER NETWORK
The Nevada Office of the Bureau of Land Management has scheduled hearings on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Clark, Lincoln and White Pine Counties Groundwater Development Project in eight Utah and Nevada cities and towns beginning August 2.
“These hearings are the best opportunity for the public to weigh in on the impacts of this massive boondoggle of a water grab,” said Steve Erickson, spokesman for the Great Basin Water Network, the coalition of ranchers, rural residents, conservationists, Tribes and local governments leading the opposition to the project. “We’re convinced the vast majority of citizens of the two states oppose this project. If they say so forcefully and thoughtfully enough, the Las Vegas developers and promoters pushing this pipeline will realize that there are smarter, cheaper and less destructive ways to meet future water needs,” Erickson said.
The first hour of each of the meetings will be an “open house” where citizens can view information and ask questions of the DEIS authors, which will be followed by a formal hearing to receive oral testimony.
Meetings
Pioche, NV, Tuesday, August 2, 5:00 – 8:00 P.M., Pioche Elementary School, 651 Airport Road
Baker, NV, Wednesday, August 3, 5:00 – 8:00 P.M., Baker Elementary School, 120 Main Street
Delta, UT, Thursday, August 4, 5:00 – 8:00 P.M., Delta High School Gym, 50 W. 300 N.
Ely, NV, Tuesday, August 9, 5:00 – 8:00 P.M., White Pine High School Gym, 1800 Bobcat Drive
Elko, NV, Wednesday, August 10, 5:00 – 8:00 P.M., Red Lion Hotel and Casino, 2065 Idaho Street
Salt Lake City, UT, Thursday, August 11,4:00 – 9:00 P.M., Hampton Inn & Suites, 307 N. Admiral Byrd Rd.
Las Vegas, NV, Monday, August 15, 4:00 – 9:00 P.M., Henderson Convention Center, 200 S. Water Street
Alamo, NV, Tuesday, August 16, 5:00 – 8:00 P.M., Lincoln County Alamo Annex, 121 Joshua Tree Street
Reno, NV, Thursday, August 18, 3:00 – 8:00 P.M., Sparks High School Large Gym, 820 15th Street
The GBWN is calling for additional hearings in Cedar City, St. George and Tooele, Utah, and has previously requested that the BLM extend the comment period on the DEIS to 180 days. BLM has thus far refused to do either. The comment deadline is currently set for September 9.
Citizens may request a hard copy of the DEIS executive summary and compact disks of the full DEIS by mail at Bureau of Land Management/Groundwater Projects Office/ P.O. Box 12000/Reno, NV 89520-0006 or by emailing [email protected]. The report also can be accessed at www.blm.gov/525c.
