WATERNEWS Apr 2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Drought Las Vegds style MUCH OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC VIEWS LAS VEGAS WITH DISDAIN IN TERMS OF ITS PROFLIGATE WATER USE. But, that perception might be chang- ing due in large part to efforts undertaken by Las Vegas' principal water supplier - the Southern Nevada Water Authority. Led by Pat Mulroy, the SNWA has instituted some remarkable conservation programs, reducing the city's water usage significantly. Its "cash for grass program" has taken 53 million square feet of turf grass out of use by offering homeowners $1 for each square foot taken out. The SNWA has imposed water budgets on golf courses. In doing so they cut water usage in half, from 12 acre feet per acre to a budget of 6.3. Along with a 29 percent average rate hike and an additional 60,000 persons moving to the area annually, the SNWA still managed to redduce overall water usage from 325,000 acre feet in 2002 to 260,000 acre feet in 2004. FOR MORE INFORMATION on the SNWA and their efforts see it's Web site www.snwa.com Southern Nevada golf courses are under strict water budgets. Courses replaced more than 7.7 million square feet of turf with water -smart landscaping in 2004. Photo courtesy of Southern Nevada Water Authority PLANS, NEW RULES PUMP UP DEBATE After a March 11 public rulemaking hearing and more discussions on April 8, the NCWCD Board continued deliberations on the use of Colorado -Big Thompson Project water in either substitute water supply plans or plans for aug- mentation. As this Waternews goes to press, the Board has asked staff to develop more specific guidelines. The current issue: whether to pass a proposed interim rule to reaffirm the Board of Director's position that C -BT water cannot be used permanently in plans for augmentation. The proposed rule would allow for the use of C -BT rental water in substitute water supply plans if the depletions are the result of an approved beneficial use within District boundaries. The proposed rule describes the terms and conditions under which C -BT water may be used as a supply to offset streamflow depletions caused by groundwater pumping. An underlying tenet requires that C -BT return flows suffer no adverse effects as a consequence of using C -BT water as a replacement supply within a substitute water supply plan. Under the District's Repayment Contract with the federal government, return flows resulting from the initial use of C -BT water are reserved for use by the District. C -BT users are allowed a one time only, or first use right, to C -BT water. At the March 11 meeting the Board listened to public com- ment and accepted written submissions. On April 8, members agreed to extend the written comment period until April 30 and to discuss the proposed rule again during their May 13 Board meeting. John Rusch, who represents Morgan and Washington counties, said the Board is "...concerned with the lower river anA must be concerned with what happens this year." The ongoing drought and state regulations limiting groundwater pumping have hurt many well owners in the South Platte basin. They are required to formulate and submit permanent plans for augmentation by December 2005 and ultimately phase out substitute water supply plans. The District's proposed rule would John Rusch provide some well owners abridge to get through the next few years using C -BT rental water that otherwise may go unused within the District boundaries. FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION on the proposed rule or Board action, visit the District Web site, www.ncwcd.org and click Latest News. APRIL 2005 WATERNEWS