The House Natural Resources Committee today reported favorably out of committee with bipartisan support legislation introduced by Congresswoman Dina Titus to safeguard Southern Nevada’s water security while enhancing environmental conservation efforts.

The Sloan Canyon Conservation and Lateral Pipeline Act would allow a portion of the Southern Nevada Water Authority’s (SNWA) Horizon Lateral water pipeline project to tunnel underneath Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area (NCA), increasing water reliability for over a million Southern Nevadans, fortifying the region’s water infrastructure against potential outages, and minimizing disruptions and impacts to the surrounding communities.

The legislation also would expand the Sloan Canyon NCA by 9,290 acres to enhance the preservation of the desert landscapes and habitat unique to Southern Nevada.

Congresswoman Titus stated, “Southern Nevada is the epicenter of the climate crisis with rising temperatures and dwindling water resources. The Horizon Lateral pipeline will protect water access for District One residents and businesses while also preserving more of our state’s unique landscapes and habitat. I look forward to working with House Leadership to bring this critical bill up for consideration expeditiously on the House floor.”

The Southern Nevada Water Authority has affirmed its support for the legislation, emphasizing the significance of ensuring water service reliability for the Las Vegas Valley. “This legislation increases water service reliability for more than one million residents and hundreds of businesses in Southern Nevada, helping ensure the long-term viability of our regional water system while also expanding and protecting environmental resources for our community,” said John Ensminger, General Manager of the Southern Nevada Water Authority

Background:

The proposed underground route beneath Sloan Canyon NCA is estimated to save Southern Nevadans at least $200 million while minimizing disturbances to both residents and the local environment.

Additionally, this route ensures the water delivery system’s redundancy in emergency situations and offers flexibility to accommodate the needs of a growing community.