- $60 million goes to water-saving desert landscaping.
- 23 million square feet of turf to be converted.
January 15, 2023 — This week, U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen and Catherine Cortez Masto revealed a new boost in federal support for water conservation across Southern Nevada. The two senators announced that they helped secure $60 million for the Southern Nevada Water Authority
’s (SNWA) landscape rebate program, courtesy of the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation. This investment aims to turn 23 million square feet of water-thirsty grass into desert-friendly landscaping. This change could save water and enhance the region’s resilience amid persistent drought.
According to Senator Rosen, “Nevada is a national leader in water conservation, routinely using less water than most states in the region. This federal funding will help our state continue protecting Nevadans’ access to water by investing in drought-resilient landscaping.” The senator’s remarks highlight the state’s ongoing leadership in reducing water consumption. The region will be better equipped to handle future shortages by shifting away from grassy lawns.
Senator Cortez Masto echoed that vision, emphasizing the program’s proven track record. “The drought crisis that Southern Nevada faces requires creative, innovative solutions,” she said. “The SNWA’s landscape rebate program has already helped save millions of gallons of water in Las Vegas and expanding it will put significantly less strain on our water supply and restore even more of our native desert vegetation. I am proud to have secured this funding, and I will continue working in the Senate to combat drought in the Silver State.”
Both senators have been active in supporting state water strategies. They have worked to secure permanent funding for conservation initiatives through measures like the Great American Outdoors Act. They recently announced $10 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to enhance the safety and functionality of the Marlette Lake Dam. Another achievement was to secure $30 million from the Bureau of Reclamation for the Truckee Meadow Water Authority to make Northern Nevada’s water supply more drought-resilient. With these resources in place, many hope that Nevada’s water supply will remain secure—allowing communities, businesses, and the environment to thrive for years.
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Image:
Marlette Lake near Carson City, Nevada
. The lake formerly served as a water supply for the silver mines in Virginia City, Nevada. July 2008, by dhReno. Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.
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