UtahNevada Agreement

1
Utah/Nevada Agreement Interim Committee
Meeting September 20, 2006
2
Agreement (PL 108-424)
Prior to any transbasin diversion from
ground-water basins located within both the state
of Nevada and the State of Utah, the State of
Nevada and the State of Utah shall reach an
agreement regarding the division of water
resources of those interstate ground-water flow
system(s) from which water will be diverted and
used by the project. The agreement shall allow
for the maximum sustainable beneficial use of the
water resources and protect existing water rights.
3
Governors Statement
Committed to ensuring that the unique way of life
of Utahs West Desert residents will not be
compromised.
4
Agreement Process

• Administrative Negotiation
• Public Involvement
• Coordinated Information Release
• Data Based
• Protect Utah Interests

5
Activities

• Exchange Technical Information
• Agreement Concepts
• Hydrology
• Dividing Water Resource
• Water Right Summary
• Detailed Water Right Listing
• Sensitive Species Conservation Agreements

6
Agreement Concepts

• Cooperate Rather than Litigate
• Agreement Elements
• Geographical Extent
• Definition of Water Right Protection
• Development Future in Both States
• Sustainability
• Sensitive Species Issues

7
Required Elements

• Protection of Existing Water Rights
• Water Division Methodology
• Administration by Each State
• Use Accounting

8
Agreement Area Boundary
9
Groundwater Hydrology
10
Recharge Distribution
11
Utah Water Right Potential
12
Position on Water Division

• Begin with a Conservative Estimate of Recharge
• Subtract Uncontrollable Losses
• Subtract Existing Water Right Depletions
• Divide Remaining Water by Percentage

13

• To Be Continued !!
• Work In Progress