The Southern Nevada Group’s Water and Lands Team (WALT) meets virtually each month to discuss water and land issues facing the Las Vegas Valley and its surrounding communities. January’s rains offer only short term relief for the chronically drought stricken Colorado River. Water managers from seven western states and Mexico have been negotiating ways to trim nearly 30% from an overallocated Colorado River water budget. Although they failed to meet a January 31 deadline, six of the seven states signed onto a "consensus-based modeling alternative” and submitted their proposal to the Bureau of Reclamation. California, with senior water rights to almost a third of the water, rejected the proposal and is releasing a separate plan.

The Colorado River crisis demands effective climate policies and increased water conservation efforts. In January WALT volunteers provided public comment for the All-In Clark County Community Plan. The plan promotes climate literacy and is a roadmap for developing a resilient and sustainable future.

Protecting and maintaining public lands are priorities for our Water and Lands Team. In November, volunteers attended the “standing room only” gathering in Laughlin where stakeholders spoke out in support of designating Avi Kwa Ame (Spirit Mountain) as a National Monument. The Sierra Club collected thousands of signatures in hopes of securing cultural, spiritual, and environmental protections for the proposed Avi Kwa Ame National Monument. The Biden administration is committed to restoring tribal oversight of ancestral lands and managing public lands by working with tribes through co-stewardship.

WALT volunteers meet on the fourth Wednesday of each month. Interested members and friends are welcome to attend our virtual meetings. Please visit the Sierra Club Toiyabe Chapter website and sign up for our next meeting on February 22, 2023.

By Linda Stout