Utilities Inc. of Central Nevada has filed an application to extend water and sewer lines east on Mesquite Avenue to serve the federal detention center planned by Corrections Corporation of America.

The company applied for permission with the Nevada Public Utilities Commission to build a 1.2 million gallon water storage tank, a booster pump station at North Blagg Road and East Mesquite Avenue, 24,060 feet of water and 13,660 feet of sewer lines.

The project also includes two lift stations on Blagg Road and Adkisson Street and at Basin Avenue and Blagg Road to serve existing properties within the service area and the detention center, which the company applied to annex into its service territory.

A consumer session will not be required for this application, the company states in its application for a Utility Environmental Protection Act permit filed with the PUC June 12.

"The environmental survey showed that there were no observations or signs of any special status or threatened and endangered species," the application states, using a Jan. 9 report issued by Ninyo and Moore Consultants.

The application states: "the project will allow the CCA property to be served by community water and sewer facilities which minimize the environmental impacts as compared with individual wells and a separate wastewater treatment system. This also eliminates any possibility of any type of groundwater contamination."

The PUC already issued an order for Utilities Inc. to construct a water storage tank, the company said. A second 1.2 million gallon water storage tank would be constructed in the future, according to the application.

The storage tank and water lines will ensure reliable water service to customers to meet peak demands, provide fire protection in the event wells are out of service and maintain adequate water pressure, the application states.

Ninyo and Moore said there is no vegetation in the right-of-way that provides habitat for protected wildlife, no groundwater expected to be encountered during trenching, but there will be noise impacts during construction. Contouring from construction of the utility lines may improve storm runoff, the consultants said.

The company already received a right-of-way permit from the Nevada Department of Transportation back in September, but will need an additional right-of-way permit for Highway 160. A building permit from Nye County and a right-of-way encroachment permit from the Nye County Public Works Department are still required and a dust control permit from the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection.

The right-of-way is wide enough on Highway 160 to avoid shutting down traffic, the company said, but there will be temporary closures and delays to traffic from construction of the water and sewer lines on Mesquite Avenue and North Blagg Road.

Ninyo and Moore states: "Installation of the utility lines may have a long-term beneficial effect on adjacent land uses and the economy of the area. There is currently no water or sanitary sewer service in this area and thus providing these services may improve opportunities for development on currently vacant private lands."

In the request for annexation of the 120-acre federal detention center site into its service area filed by Utilities Inc. with the PUC on May 13, Utilities Inc. estimated the cost of sewer and water improvements to the center would cost $11.1 million, of which Utilities Inc. would pay $2.1million, CCA will pay the rest.

Utilities Inc. estimated annual water and sewer revenues from the detention center would amount to $288,666. CCA agreed to pay Utilities Inc. a minimum of $225,000 annually for 15 years under a development agreement.

Opponents of the project have circulated a petition asking the PUC to hold a public hearing on the annexation request in Pahrump. Judith Holmgren, Kenneth Bent, Norma Jean Opatik and Pearl West met with PUC legal counsel Alaina Burtenshaw and Tammy Cordova in Pahrump on Tuesday. No decision has been made.