Speakin' Out II

This was my second "public comment" at the Legislative Commission's Subcommittee to Study Water on April 22, 2016:

One of the biggest faults of Nevada Water Law has been with us since it was originally written. And looking back, the reason is obvious. Back when the miners, ranchers and farmers got together to divy up Nevada's water; they obviously didn't want to share any with the Indians. So they defined water “use” as not what Indians did with water. In other words, Nevada Water Law essentially does not define truly sustainable water use as “use.”

This is a crucial flaw that has ultimately led us in the misguided direction and over-appropriated condition we now find ourselves.

In my opinion; Nevada water law, at it's very core, promotes waste.

Because Nevada water law considers truly sustainable use as waste.

The irony is terrifying.

Essentially, here in the desert; the only legal use of water is to expend it.

My ancestors have lived sustainably here for over 10,000 years. But with over-appropriated water use, many parts of Nevada could be uninhabitable in less than 200 years.

Nevada water law needs to more rationally consider sustainable use, the environment that supports sustainable use, and future generations that will depend on us sustainably using what water there is.

We critically need to start thinking long-term while that option is still available to us.