Nevada State Office News Release No. 2007-03
Release Date: Oct. 25, 2006
Contact: JoLynn Worley, 775-861-6515

BLM Authorizes Data Collection Work on SNWA Water Project

Reno, Nev.—The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has authorized the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) to start some hydrologic and geotechnical data collection. The data will be used in the analysis of an environmental impact statement (EIS) for a water development and rights-of-way proposal to transport water from eastern Nevada to Las Vegas.

A contractor for SNWA began drilling exploration wells in Spring Valley and soil/geotechnical sample bore holes in all seven basins that are included in the proposed project. Pumping tests on four exploration wells will be used to determine aquifer characteristics. Forty-two bore holes will be drilled from Spring Valley to Las Vegas to determine soil characteristics. These areas will also be tested for the presence of radio nuclei.

BLM is working on additional sites for exploration wells throughout the project area that will continue to collect data for the EIS.

A map showing the locations of the exploration wells and the bore holes may be reviewed at the Ely Field Office, 702 N. Industrial Way.