$82M Offered to End Colorado River Battle

The Southern Nevada Water Authority offered to purchase $82 million in water--or approximately $70 per acre foot--from California to end the continuing more than year-long debate over the transfer of water between California's farming and urban interests. The offer would entitle Nevada over the next 20 years to draw 330,00 acre feet of the river water. The additional allotment would come from California's share of the water, reported an article in The Sierra Times.

The debate over the water deal has suspended the rights of both Nevada and California from taking any additional water from the river.

The article also reported that the recent offer would entitle Nevada to an additional 840,000 acre feet of surplus water.

Nevada has been debating with California since last year when it exceeded its allocated amount by 8 percent. However, California exceeded its annual amount by 18 percent.

The Federal Bureau of Reclamation only charges $0.50 per acre foot for Lake Mead water compared to this new price tag of $70.

Four Southern California water agencies are concerned that giving up their rights to the water could jeopardize their own residents and their water needs.

Source: The Sierra Times