Douglas last to invite Alpine into river panel

MINDEN - Douglas County leaders are expected to formally OK a proposal for an interstate agreement that would add Alpine County to the Carson Water Subconservancy District.

Carson City, Lyon and Churchill counties, the other members of the district, have already given their blessing to the concept, said subconservancy manager Ed James. If Douglas leaders give their approval Thursday, the proposal will go back to the subconservancy board for action.

"There seems to be fairly strong support. I have not heard any negative comments on it," said James.

The idea has been circulating for nearly two years. The Subconservancy District includes the Carson River watershed areas of the Nevada counties. Both forks of the river originate in Alpine County, and proponents of the plan say adding Alpine would mean a more coordinated approach to managing the watershed.

The district has no regulatory authority and the district would still be bound by the Alpine Decree, which regulates water rights, so adding Alpine shouldn't jeopardize current claims to the river.

The subconservancy district was last altered in 1999 when Churchill County joined. The change required legislative action. Bringing Alpine County in would require legislative approval from Nevada and California.

If the proposal moves forward, James anticipates asking Nevada legislators for their approval when they meet in 2001.

"Then the big $64,000 question is California," he said. "It's going to be a little hard to grab their attention, but a lot of (agencies) are already doing stuff to promote watershed protection and awareness, and if we jump in we can be heard."

The Douglas County Commission, which has three members on the Subconservancy District board, meets Thursday at 1 p.m. in the old courthouse, 1616 Eighth St., Minden.

If you go

What: Douglas County commission

Where: Old courthouse, 1616 Eighth St., Minden

When: 1 p.m. Thursday