MARK WAITE / PVT A domestic well is drilled off Mecca Road and Highway 373 in Amargosa Valley recently. Advertisement

TONOPAH -- Nye County Commissioner Joni Eastley said Tuesday she wants another bill introduced in the 2009 state legislature to make sure both the new Nye County Water Board and Nye County commissioners need a super-majority vote to approve the transfer of water from one area of the county to another.

Eastley said she was surprised to find out only a simple majority of the Nye County Commission was required.

"This is absolutely contrary to what Commissioner (Midge) Carver and I asked for in this bill and was assured was going to be in this bill. I have been assuring citizens in the district I represent, a lot who did not support the creation of the district, because they were afraid commissioners would approve the appropriation of water from their areas to other areas that may be struggling."

Eastley said she consulted with a representative of Nevada Elect about the misunderstanding.

"I'm not feeling real good about establishing this water district now," Eastley said.

Nye County officials have talked about the need to pipe water into Pahrump Valley in the future to deal with the growth. The Nye County Water Resources Plan projects Pahrump Valley could have 150,000 residents by the year 2050. (See related story, page A1.)

"I think this issue is too critical to leave to a simple majority of the board of commissioners when it comes to moving water from one area of the county to another," Eastley said.

The discussion occurred during discussion of an agenda item about appointing members to the board. Senate Bill 222, setting up the water board, specifies what geographic regions members should be from, guaranteeing Pahrump won't dominate the board. Three members would be appointed from Pahrump, one would be appointed from Beatty or Amargosa Valley, another from Tonopah, another from Currant Creek or Smoky Valley, another from anywhere in the county outside of Pahrump.

Commissioner Butch Borasky wanted to advertise for members with a background in water and some education.

"I don't know if you want to put in, 'some experience in water authorities,' I know it will be slim pickings on that," Borasky said.

Eastley said she didn't want to attach higher educational requirements. "I know a lot of people personally who have high school degrees, I would stack them up against anybody," she said.

County Manager Ron Williams struck a compromise when he suggested asking applicants to describe their experience in western water law.

Eastley suggested contacting Steve Bradhurst, the newly hired director of the Central Nevada Water Authority, for advice. He is former director of the Nye County nuclear waste project office.

Williams also pointed out there was no budget approved for the county water board. Eastley said board members will need an adequate budget, adding, "They have quite a monumental task before them."