THIS AND THAT

WC 3 – Land Use Planning in Balance with Sustainable Water

By Marge Frandsen

Marge Frandsen is former Chair of the Washoe County Planning Commission.

Recently it was reported that the Reno-Sparks Chamber of Commerce issued a statement in opposition to WC 3 in which it was stated that “WE WILL NEVER RUN OUT OF WATER”.  What planet do these people live on?  What an arrogant statement from business leaders whose very own prosperity relies on a life giving, precious resource – WATER!  What they evidently fail to realize is the difference between a paper water right and actual “wet” water.  Try steeping your tea or flushing your toilet with a paper water right!  They also offer no answers as to where this unending supply of water will come from if not available within Washoe County and who will pay for that unending supply.

Many counties and cities across the country have recognized the folly of outgrowing their water supply.  Many citizens are paying dearly for the short-sightedness of their planners and elected officials.  Washoe County governments and developers have turned a blind eye to the possibility of such a situation occurring here.  

ABOUT  WC 3

Those involved with the ballot question are local residents who are concerned about future population being in balance with natural resources.  They are not anti-growth but believe in sustainable, quality growth and recognize the need for common sense land use planning.

WC 3 will direct that the Truckee Meadows Regional Plan and local master plans be amended to link short and long term land use planning to a known, sustainable water supply – as required by state law, but not followed in Washoe County,

WC 3 will NOT prohibit water importation.
WC 3 will NOT affect use of Truckee River water.
WC 3 will NOT affect the ability of the region to grow.

LIVING WITHIN OUR MEANS?

Washoe County has a population of 418,000* and only enough sustainable water supply for 600,000.**  In spite of this, Regional Planning has adopted a long-range Truckee Meadows Regional Plan that anticipates a build out of approximately 1.2 million!***

WHERE will the water come from?  WHO will pay for it?

The WC 3 ballot measure directs that the Truckee Meadows Regional Plan be amended to be in balance with identified and sustainable water resources.  The Reno Gazette Journal cautioned that we should consider the unintended consequences should this question pass…….I believe we should consider the intended consequences should it NOT pass.

To learn more visit:   http//www.vtmnow.org OR  http://planevada.org/content/blogcategory/75/446/

Let’s restore common sense to the Truckee Meadows Regional Plan.  Consider a YES vote on WC 3 so that local planners, developers and elected officials will be required to consider water before amending master plans, changing zoning or approving developments.

*Nevada State Demographer 2007 estimate
**Regional Water Planning Commission report November 2006
***Truckee Meadows Regional Planning Agency staff report June 21, 2006

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