Water News Roundup – January 19, 2010

Salt Lake Tribune:

Snake Valley pumping hard to monitor – The Southern Nevada Water Authority proposes pumping groundwater from five desert basins in the Great Basin, including Snake Valley on the Nevada-Utah border, and piping the water south to Las Vegas. Under the proposed water-sharing agreement for Snake Valley, a monitoring plan is offered as a mechanism to control excessive adverse impacts.

10 reasons not to give Utah water to Nevada – Utah’s tourism slogan is “Life Elevated.” Perfect irony, because what is most elevated in Utah is our air pollution — the worst in the country this week and hardly a boon to tourism.

N. Utah water outlook is dim but could brighten – As of this week, the water outlook in chilly northern Utah doesn’t look so hot.  On the other hand, southern Utah’s snowpack is above average and likely to stay that way until spring.

Storms could change the snowpack picture – Monday’s crowd at Solitude Mountain Resort lent credibility to ski area advertisements touting lift lines so short resort officials don’t even know how to spell “kroud.”

KCPW: State gathering public input on nuke plant water deal –  The Utah Division of Water Rights held a public meeting last night to gather input on a proposal that would allow the states first nuclear power plant to be built. Those opposed to the project say it will harm the Green River.  But Aaron Tilton, CEO of Blue Castle Holdings, which owns the project, says theyre misguided.

MSNBC:  EPA offers Florida water pollution limits – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Friday proposed the first numeric limits in the nation for farm and urban runoff polluting Florida’s waterways, limits supporters say could set precedent and lead to similar federal standards in other states.

Water News Roundup – January 11, 2010

Salt Lake Tribune:

More dreary days ahead – The prospect of more pollution-filled days along the Wasatch Front next week is worrisome.  First, snowpack totals in northern Utah are about half of normal, causing water managers grief.

Herbert pulling back on water deal – Hand-delivered letters from elected officials in Salt Lake and Millard counties to Gov. Gary Herbert this week apparently have persuaded him to delay signing a Snake Valley water-sharing agreement between Utah and Nevada.

Salt Lake Tribune – Editorial: Don’t sign, Governor – Gov. Gary Herbert apparently has decided to sign off on the proposed Snake Valley water agreement with Nevada. We join the Utah Medical Association, officials of Salt Lake and Millard counties, and members of the Snake Valley Aquifer Advisory Council in urging him not to do it.

KSL:

Water watchers wishing for more snowpack – Utah’s water watchers are warning that this winter is stacking up to be a relatively mild one, which means a meager snowpack. With no big storms on the horizon, the chances of turning that around are slim.

Governor delays signing Utah-Nevada water-sharing pact – Gov. Gary Herbert has delayed signing a water-sharing agreement between Utah and Nevada for Snake Valley.

Deseret News: Water hearing set for proposed nuclear power plant – Protests sparked by a plan to divert river water for a new nuclear reactor in Emery County will be reviewed at a hearing next Tuesday.  The plan calls for the diversion of 53,600 acre-feet of water for use at the nuclear facility planned by Blue Castle Holdings.

New York Times – Environment: Water conservation could limit suburban lawns – …But now a 2006 state law, designed to conserve water by altering landscaping practices, is taking effect, and the changes that began three decades ago are likely to accelerate. One proposal being considered in Menlo Park could restrict lawns on new or reconfigured landscapes to no more than 500 square feet per dwelling unit or to no more than 25 percent of the landscaped area, whichever is larger….