Issue Position: Public Lands and Water Rights

Issue Position

The Federal Government controls approximately 82% of Nevada's total land or 57,480,701 total acres. When you consider Nevada's role in America's National Security as well as the vast amount of open spaces, the balance between federal authority and state responsibility must be redressed. The friends and neighbors I have met along the campaign trail don't want to harm our lands. They want to protect them for future generations. At the same time, we want to see them used to create jobs, to provide recreation, and to pass on traditions for future generations.

Washington must learn that Nevadans need a louder voice in how these vast lands should be managed and used. That means allowing the State to oversee and protect them at the local level, by those who know best.

Water rights are a related issue. Currently, there is a dispute between the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) and White Pine and Lincoln counties on the diversion of groundwater. The SNWA wants to stick a straw into Eastern Nevada, and the population has told them to go elsewhere.
This is a local issue best solved by discussion among the parties involved rather than by litigation between them. As a Congressman, I am happy to assist with mediating the controversy. We are all Nevadans. There should be a sensible solution which we can discuss and agree upon.

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