Something stinks in Moapa and it's not the fire that just went through the Warm Springs Road.
First, even though it is widely known that a government agency started the fire, no one has officially said which agency it is. Even though it is widely known, unofficially, it is the Southern Nevada Water Authority who caused the fire. But, on their web site, they have not addressed the fire: http://www.snwa.com/html/
From the LVRJ: "Officials also have not named an official cause for the fire, but a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service maintenance employee at the Moapa National Wildlife Refuge who witnessed the incident said it was started by a Southern Nevada Water Authority work crew trimming dead palm fronds off palm trees." http://www.lvrj.com/news/moapa-blaze-chars--oasis-in-the-desert--97722279.html
The Las Vegas Sun has nothing on who caused the fire: http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/jul/02/moapa-residents-clean-after-fire-burns-10-homes/
The fire destroyed 9-10 homes and burned probably a couple hundred acres. It may have even caused a water critter to become extinct. It will cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to fight. And yet, no one has taken responsibility, especially, no one in government.
Maybe a report will come out in a few months stating the cause. But will anyone be held responsible? Will anyone be fired? Who will pay for the damages and who will pay for the firefighting costs?
If this was a private company, all hell would break loose. The government agencies would be going after the private contractor, demands to pay all the bills would be called for. Look at the gulf oil spill.
But is a government agency and they are being allowed to slide by. Government at work. Come on Southern Nevada Authority- man up and take responsibility for your mistakes.
You Know What To Do
3 hours ago
Something stinks alright! SNWA has been buying out the landowners in this area over the last several years to obtain the water surface rights for the Muddy Springs area. The system of springs produce approximately 34,000 acre-feet per year and every little bit counts. Unfortunately for SNWA, the LDS church owns the land and grandfathered water rights for the main spring that generates a majority of this Muddy River flow. They bought it in 1978 from the Howard Hughes estate two years after his death. A few years ago (2003?) Clark County shows up at the ranch out of the blue and closes them down for every code violation they can come up with. The LDS church closes the ranch and renovates for a year and a half to accomodate. April 22, 2010, the LDS church files official objection with the Nevada State Engineer over the Southern Nevada Water Authority wanting to pump groundwater from the Snake Valley on the Utah/Nevada border to diversify Las Vegas water supplies. I think the writing is on the wall.
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