The Pahrump Town Board helped two community organizations possibly secure grant funding by agreeing to be co-applicants at its May 13 meeting.

* The Pahrump Arts Council will apply for a grant from the Department of State Lands to create an educational program about stewardship for Nye County youth.

If the grant is awarded, PAC will not need any additional funding from the town.

The funding will help PAC tell the story of Dick Senior, "Keeper of the Wheeler Well."

Senior, who enjoyed the Spring Mountains, found old, deteriorated water sources for animals.

He took it upon himself to maintain the wells and repair damages caused by weather or the animals themselves.

PAC plans to create a program for schools that would include a presentation by "the Keeper" and teach the value and lessons of stewardship of the land.

To ensure knowledge of "the Keeper" is continually passed on, high school interns will learn to present the program.

The project plans to use a multiplicity of talents -- writers, poets, artists, and illustrators.

A follow-up project includes a children's book, the proceeds of which will go to fund more projects involving artists, children and educators.

* The board will also be a co-applicant for a Department of Agriculture grant with Pahrump Alliance Valley Economic Development.

PAVED plans on using the funds, if granted, to sponsor training workshops for potential new businesses, or established businesses willing to expand, to help them navigate the bureaucratic maze that accompanies entrepreneurship.

The town is not required to provide matching funds or any financial support; the grant simply requires applicants have at least five years experience in working with grants.

* The board also approved beginning the process of purchasing two separate water rights packages.

One purchase is for up to 100 acre feet of water rights for $12,000 per share plus related engineering and legal costs, totaling approximately $1,200,000.

If the water rights are acquired, they could be assigned to develop a new park on town-owned land on Kellogg Road.

The second board-approved water rights purchase is for 17 acre feet of water for a total cost not to exceed $165,000 plus related fees.

This purchase will be funded through remaining Nye County grant funds and would also be used to supplement the existing well system used for the parks.

* The conceptual plan for the Pahrump Arts and Recreation Complex (formerly known as the fairgrounds) was also approved by the board.

The plan was outlined in detail in a previous edition of this paper and includes conducting an environmental assessment which will allow Housing and Urban Development funds slated for the project to be released.