Nevada

Nevada joins 6 Western states demanding more water investments

Published

9 months ago

May 1, 2024

Nevada joins 6 Western states demanding more water investments

Jeniffer Solis
| Nevada Current

Nevada’s senators joined federal lawmakers from six other Western states Monday to demand additional funding to address the region’s long-term drought, worsened by climate change.

The Colorado River remains in an unfolding and worsening crisis. Water demand on the river far exceeds supply, meaning less water is available to refill the river’s large reservoirs, Lake Mead and Lake Powell. Such a scenario could risk water supply and hydro power to millions of Westerners.

Congress has moved to address the historic drought in the West by funding Colorado River management and conservation efforts, according to Nevada Current. In 2022, Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act, which provided $4 billion for projects that mitigate drought in the 17 Western states served by the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation.

However, that funding is only available through 2026.

Portions of that funding have been used to compensate farmers and ranchers for water conservation in the lower basin after Nevada, California, and Arizona agreed to collectively reduce water use by at least 3 million acre-feet through the end of 2026, when the Colorado River’s current operating guidelines are set to expire.

In a letter Monday, Nevada’s Democratic Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen, and Reps. Dina Titus and Susie Lee, urged U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to “bring all resources to bear in helping address long-term drought and aridification in the Western United States.”

“Drought remains a severe risk for American farmers and ranchers and threatens farmland and local economies that rely on dwindling water resources,” wrote the lawmakers.

More than 30 lawmakers signed on to the letter, including several from Colorado, Oregon, New Mexico, Montana, Arizona, California.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, at the end of March, 23% of the West was in drought. Areas of Arizona, New Mexico, and western Montana are experiencing extreme and exceptional drought this spring. In the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies, dry conditions have persisted, with record low snowpack in some areas, raising concerns about worsening drought conditions.

In western Montana, snowpack is well below normal and at record low levels for some areas. While minor drought improvements were made throughout much of the West, worsening drought conditions are expected heading into the summer, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Lawmakers acknowledged the Biden-Harris Administration’s recent steps to increase the number of agriculture conservation practices eligible for Inflation Reduction Act dollars, but emphasized that more comprehensive funding across the West is needed. In the letter, lawmakers called for further investments in upstream, watershed-scale projects, water forecasting, water conservation, and watershed restoration.

Upper basin “watershed-scale investments greatly benefit all downstream uses, in particular for our farming and ranching communities,” reads the letter.

The letter noted that funding for large-scale agricultural conservation in lower basin states has greatly helped address the drought, but that “smaller scale on-farm measures and larger-scale upstream watershed restoration and improvements” are also needed to address both short-term drought recovery and future resilience.

In the West, U.S. Forest Service lands comprise 19% of the total land area and contribute 46% of the surface water supply, meaning that more investments in public national forest lands would have a significant impact on downstream surface water flows, according to the letter.

Specifically, lawmakers called on the White House to provide additional funding for Natural Resources Conservation Service programs related to water forecasting, water conservation, and watershed restoration. Lawmakers also requested funding for measures that upgrade water infrastructure, build soil health, and contribute significant ecosystem benefits.

“Reliable and sustainable water availability is absolutely critical to any agricultural commodity production in the American West, and swiftly deploying funds to producers and watersheds in our States and Districts is crucial to help them respond to more frequent and severe droughts,” lawmakers wrote.

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Nevada

Nevada Democrats congratulate, caution Trump as he starts 2nd term

Published

4 hours ago

January 21, 2025

Press Room

Nevada Democrats congratulate, caution Trump as he starts 2nd term

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Southern Nevada’s congressional delegation — all Democrats — congratulated and cautioned President Donald Trump as he began his second term Monday.

Trump won the election in November by 1.5% — or about 2 million votes. The president also became the first Republican candidate since 2004 to win Nevada’s six electoral votes, besting Vice President Kamala Harris by about 46,000 votes.

Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen voted to impeach Trump in both his impeachment trials.

“Today, we completed one of the most foundational principles of our democracy, which is the peaceful transfer of power,” Cortez Masto said in a statement. “I look forward to working with the incoming administration to lower prices, create jobs, and keep our communities safe. But make no mistake, if President Trump uses his position to hurt hardworking Nevadans, I will always stand strong to protect them.”

“Today, we witnessed yet another peaceful transfer of power,” Rosen posted on X. “I’m always willing to work across the aisle, including with the Trump-Vance Administration, to lower costs and deliver for Nevada families. But I’ll also push back on any extreme actions that would hurt our nation.”

“I will work with President Trump on any policy that achieves these goals for Nevadans and the American people,” Rep. Steven Horsford said in a statement. “And I will honor America’s long tradition of principled opposition when his policies fall short. I wish President Trump the best in office, and look forward to representing the people of Nevada’s 4th Congressional District in negotiations with him.”

“Today we witnessed the peaceful transfer of power which is essential to our democracy,” Rep. Dina Titus posted on X.

Several prominent Las Vegas-area business figures attended the inauguration, including Phil Ruffin and Dana White.

Rep. Susie Lee had not shared or posted a statement as of Monday afternoon. Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo also did not share a message.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.

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Nevada

Nevada DMV testing new “turbo title” system

Published

12 hours ago

January 20, 2025

Press Room

Nevada DMV testing new “turbo title” system

CARSON CITY, Nev. (KOLO) – The Nevada DMV is unveiling a new online service in certain portion of the state.

Their new “turbo titles” launched at the Elko and Sahara Las Vegas DMV offices last Monday.

The Nevada DMV says the new system is designed to speed up the process of applying for new and duplicate titles faster for eligible residents of Nevada. Customers will be able to upload documents remotely through a DriveNV portal and fast pass their initial trip to the Nevada DMV office.

“The Nevada DMV processes about 285,000 standard titles a year,” stated Public Information Officer Paolo David. “Turbo Titles will speed up the titling process for our customers, which will provide greater convenience to our community.”

Those who are eligible to participate in this service are:

Customers who have purchased or leased a vehicle from an out-of-state dealer or private party
Customers who have received a vehicle from a private party or family member as a gift
New residents to Nevada with an existing vehicle
Customers in need of a duplicate Nevada title

“Our Turbo Titles release is very similar to our last release, Rapid Registration, which means it is the very first phase of this service,” said Public Information Officer Hailey Foster. “Customers will still need to make an appointment to pay and verify the title documentation they submitted.”

One payment is complete, customers will get the title via mail to the address provided.

If a lienholder is on the title, the lienholder will receive the paper or electronic title based on information supplied to the DMV.

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Nevada

'All the lads want to go': Wigan rookies push for Vegas selection

Published

20 hours ago

January 20, 2025

Press Room

'All the lads want to go': Wigan rookies push for Vegas selection

Wigan’s rookie brigade put their hands up for Vegas selection after the Warriors did what Allegiant Stadium rivals Warrington could not and registered a win in their opening pre-season clash.

“I’d love to go to Vegas – with the squad we’ve got over here at Wigan it’s a big fight for places,” said back rower George Hirst after Sunday’s 28-16 defeat of Oldham.

Wunderkind half Jack Farrimond pulled the strings and non-stop lock Harvie Hill seemed to take every second hit-up as coaches rewarded the players who’ve been back in training since last year while Australian-based stars and England internationals took a break.

Hirst returned to the club he helped win promotion to the Championship last year and impressed in Arctic conditions at Boundary Park. Another former Roughyed, Tyler Dupree, scored Wigan’s first try.

“It’s down to me really,” Hirst said. “Train well, play well. I’d love to go but it’s not my choice.

“All the lads want to go. We’ll find out closer to the time. There’ll be a few lads disappointed.”

One man who might sneak onto the plane is 18-year-old Taylor Kerr, who played alongside Farrimond in the halves but can also handle hooker and back row.

“It’s just a sign of a quality player,” said assistant coach Thomas Leuluai, a renowned utility in his 40 Test career for the Kiwis and 448 NRL and Super League appearances.

“They’re all in that squad for a reason. We’ve got good depth. The guys today, they haven’t done themselves any harm, have they?

“Who’s going to Vegas? I don’t know when he (head coach Matty Peet) is picking that, but the guys today have made a good account of themselves and should be happy.”

Super League rivals, Huddersfield and Salford, joined Warrington – beaten 36-22 by Widnes – in being toppled by Championship teams over the weekend.

“It’s good to be the only ones who won,” said Hirst.

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