Tracking Water Profiteers
Nevada has a water problem. There’s not enough of it. But powerful companies with Wall Street backing want to have greater control over this scarce public resource.
As climate change and over-use compound water scarcity in Nevada, these entities pressure regulators, lawmakers and other public officials to continue business as usual in a rapidly changing hydrologic system.
Corporate attempts to sell, develop, and amass water give life to many money-making possibilities and pose potential long-term problems for communities, ecosystems, and regulators.
GBWN’s “Water Profiteers Map” magnifies a select few companies that have applied for large amounts of water and acquired significant rights for profit-driven reasons. These entities are by no means the only ones doing this in the state. However, their efforts showcase the challenges we face under the law and highlight the discrepancy between “paper water” (water rights allocated on paper) and “wet water” (the actual water available).
At GBWN, we work to ensure that existing rights holders, the public interest, and the natural world all remain intact. The rules of the game allow these companies to work in the manner that they do. And that requires us to be vigilant. Follow Great Basin Water Network and support our work tracking and birddogging entities that are looking to profit from our most precious resource.
Explore the map, to learn more.
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