Meeting focuses on many facets of water in Northern Nevada

Water, water everywhere, but it's all already taken.

With increasing growth and development, the contention over where the water will come to feed increased infrastructure appearing throughout Northern Nevada is foremost on the minds of many groups.

That contention will be the focus of a Northern Nevada Development Authority Membership Breakfast Meeting. The meeting will feature a panel of experts on water issues, addressing how the region can plan for and balance water needs affecting businesses and agriculture.

The panel will feature Dorothy Timian-Palmer of Vidler Water Company, U.S. Geological Survey Senior Geologist Doug Maurer, Tracy Taylor, Nevada State Engineer with the Division of Water Resources, Dwight Millard, President of Millard Realty, and Steve Walker of Walker & Associates.

Timian-Palmer will discuss the Fish Springs water projects. Maurer will discuss the science surrounding water usage and allocation. Taylor will talk about the issues and solutions from the perspective of a engineer. Millard will outline what a developer needs to know about water rights and issues and Walker will talk about the water supply in Washoe Valley.

The panel will be moderated by Ed James, general manager of the Carson Water Subconservancy District.

"We want to make people aware of our water resources and understand the issues relating to water from many aspects," James said.

The panel will also talk about the struggle between growth and agricultural water needs in the area.

"New demands for residential or business development means the water has to come from somewhere; it usually gets pulled from agriculture. Douglas County is a good example.

"Everyone loves the beautiful, irrigated agricultural lands and want things to stay that way. However, we don't own the water rights, the farmers do. When developers move in and want to build, they often find the money to buy those water rights to build," James said.

The panel runs from 7-9 a.m. Wednesday at the Dayton Valley Golf Course in Dayton.

If you go

WHAT: "Is it for Drinking or Fighting Over?" NNDA panel on water issues.

When: 7-9 a.m. Wednesday

Where: Dayton Valley Country Club

Cost: $30 for nonmembers, $20 for NNDA members

Call: 883-4413 or go online to www.nnda.org for more information or to make reservations

• Contact reporter Jarid Shipley at jshipley@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.