In an historic unanimous decision, the Nevada Supreme Court has ruled that the state may restrict new groundwater pumping if it will impact other users and wildlife. The decision puts a big crimp in the plans of a developer to construct a new community for 250,000 people in the Mojave Desert. It will also change how the state manages its groundwater.
Water is vital to the future of Nevada, which is the driest state in the nation. It currently relies heavily on water from the Colorado River, which itself is experiencing a reduction in water levels. Aquifers in and around Nevada are seriously depleted after years of drought, a problem common to many parts of the world as alterations to the Earth’s climate have led to more rain in some areas and less rain in others. READ FULL ARTICLE