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      From: <kpmendenhall@comcast.net> 
      To: <snakevalley@utah.gov> 
      Date: Wednesday - September 30, 2009 12:07 AM 
      Subject: Snake Valley Agreement 






      I appreciate the opportunity to comment on this important subject. I 
      believe authors of the current agreement are on the right track, and 
      support efforts of the governor and legislature to allow a thorough study 
      of the draft before any decision is finalized that would allow massive 
      withdrawal of groundwater to satisfy the thirst of our Las Vegas 
      neighbors. Experts have already voiced concerns that delicate desert 
      ecosystems would not survive the siphoning of groundwater and Snake Valley 
      ranchers are worried about their livelihoods. I am gravely concerned that 
      if the Snake Valley were to become a dust bowl, air quality along the 
      Wasatch Front, already unhealthy much of the time throughout the year, 
      would decline even further. There is no need to rush into an agreement. We 
      all have a stake in this decision and need to get it right before it's too 
      late. Let's allow the time to pursue more scientific study to determine 
      how much water the aquifer holds and at what rate water can safely be 
      withdrawn to preserve desert conditions needed to maintain air quality and 
      ensure adequate water supplies for local communities in the Snake Valley. 

      Thank you for listening. 
      Kirk Mendenhall 
      Magna, UT