The U.S. Senate recently approved a bill that would let the Southern Nevada Water Authority construct a water service line through a conservation area.
The bill was proposed by Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) A separately proposed route would have had an impact on major roads in Henderson. A companion bill also authorizing the new service line route Rep. Dina Titus (D-Nev.) made it through the House of Representatives last year.
During the Senate hearing, Cortez Masto said, “It will protect the water supply for nearly half of our Las Vegas residents and businesses.”
The water service line, currently called the Horizon Lateral pipeline, could have a price tag as high as $2B. Early projections indicate it will be wide enough to fit a Ford F-150 truck. The pipeline is intended to further bolster Nevada’s water supply and protect it from disruptions if the South Valley Lateral pipeline is ever inoperable.
The South Valley Lateral pipeline currently transports roughly 40% of water in the Las Vegas Valley. The new pipeline would help serve growing portions in Henderson and western Las Vegas.
If approved, an additional 9,290 acres of land will be added to the more than 48,400-acre Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area. The proposal has garnered some attention from environmentalists concerned that drilling could impact wildlife or petroglyphs.
Once presented to President Donald Trump, he will have 10 days to sign the bill. (Source)
