Douglas warned to settle internal water disputes

Threats to Carson Valley's water were discussed at a workshop for Douglas County water users hosted by the Carson Water Subconservancy District on Monday.

Nearly three-dozen people attended the session in the CVIC Hall in Minden, including ranchers, water officials, residents and representatives of the Nature Conservancy.

The Regional Water System Countywide workshop was hosted by the subconservancy to prepare a report discussing the interconnection of various water systems in the district.

In a preamble to the report being prepared, the regional water system refers to the region and not to a single large water system.

Minden Town Board member Bob Hadfield suggested a backbone pipeline connecting northern and southern Douglas County.

"We've got some good water systems in the county," he said. "It's a shame that we haven't hooked them together."

Bob Spellberg, manager of the Gardnerville Ranchos General Improvement District, didn't dispute the benefits of a Valley-wide pipeline, but said he wanted to maintain his district's independence.

"We don't want decisions to be made in Minden for the Ranchos," he said.

County commissioner and Subconservancy District Board member Kelly Kite told the group that a threat from the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe had brought them all together a decade ago and that threat had resurfaced.

The Paiutes protested a Douglas County water transfer before the State Engineer on July 31, only 10 days after the protest period for the May 11 request expired.

They argue that because the Newlands Project farmers have a right to make up water they don't receive from the Carson River by taking Truckee River water, granting a diversion to Douglas County would harm their interests.

The other perceived threat is action by the Legislature that might include all of western Nevada in the creation of a single regional water resources entity in one being requested for Washoe County.

While a recommendation to the Legislature includes only Washoe County, even excluding Incline Village, water users concerns are that Reno-Sparks could look south for additional water to feed their growing development.

"The Subconservancy stretches from Churchill to Alpine counties and every area has its own issues, but a lot of those issues are the same," Kite said.

He said the subconservancy was not there to run a pipeline to Fallon.

"I've heard that from people and the only one who has said anything about it is me, and I'm saying we're not going to do it."

Rancher David Hussman pointed out that the river is in segments and the Pyramid Lake Tribe can't claim priority over a segment in Carson Valley. Hussman said the Alpine Decreeshould be preserved

However, subconservancy director Ed James pointed out that the federal water master decides when irrigation can begin and end.

"There are risks to the Alpine Decree," he said.

Rancher Arnold Settelmeyer said that while water in his wells hasn't dropped that much over the years, he fears development on tribal land could affect the Valley's water supply.

"Water is our heartbeat," he said. "We need to get more documentation about what is happening."

Settelmeyer said he believed there are too many districts in Douglas County and they make any agreement difficult.

"There was a time when there were nine school districts in the county," Settelmeyer said. "Right or wrong, the Legislature decided there would be one school district in each county. That's what could happen if we don't start working together. Otherwise, they'll pick us up individually."

Rancher Clarence Burr said there are several threats to agriculture in the Valley

"You've got to keep us here and I can't have noxious weeds in my hay," he said. "If we can't grow a crop, why should we keep the water?"

Burr said the subconservancy needs to develop a war chest to prepare to fight for the water.

"We're not done with the Pyramid Lake Tribe," he said. "Carson Valley is a sponge and as long as we can keep the sponge, we benefit."

The subconservancy is holding meetings in each of the counties with membership.