Water fight

“It’s the cotton candy of good intentions with nothing good at its core,” attorney Paul Hejmanowski said at a hearing before the state water engineer last week. “It does not provide the protection my client must have.” His client is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and the hearing dealt with plans by the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) to take supplies along the Utah/Nevada border to feed growth.

On the other side, attorney Paul Taggart represented SNWA, arguing that Southern Nevada has exhausted Colorado River water: “Approve these applications to secure a safe and reliable water supply for seven out of 10 Nevadans and to secure the economic viability of the state as a whole.”

Goshute Nation attorney Paul EchoHawk was critical of federal officials for dropping their objections to the water transfer. He represented several Great Basin tribes.

At least 80 witnesses were heard at the day-long hearing and others will likely submit written comments. The hearing was necessitated after the Nevada Supreme Court overturned the water engineer’s previous approval of the water transfer.