At their July 16 meeting, the Pershing County Commission unanimously approved a partnership with the Desert Research Institute (DRI) to create a comprehensive water plan for the county, marking a major step forward in understanding and managing local water resources.
The presentation, led by DRI’s Alexandra Lutz, outlined the scope and significance of the project. The plan will identify current water sources, forecast future needs, and offer strategies for conservation, development, and sustainability across municipal, agricultural, and industrial uses.
Lutz emphasized the importance of tailoring the plan to Pershing County’s unique geography and economy. “Water planning isn’t one-size-fits-all,” she said. “This is about building something locally meaningful that supports your community’s long-term resilience.”
Commissioners expressed strong support for the effort, noting ongoing challenges with drought, agricultural demand, and population growth. The plan will serve as a key resource for both future infrastructure investment and land use planning.
The project will be funded through existing state and federal water planning grants, requiring no direct cost to the county.
“This is exactly the kind of forward-looking work we need,” commissioner Chuck Sayles said. “We’ve waited long enough to take a more proactive stance on water.”
The county joins a growing list of rural Nevada communities working with DRI to build local water plans designed to prepare for shifting hydrologic conditions, climate change, and competing demands on scarce water supplies.
The planning process is expected to begin later this summer, with public outreach and stakeholder engagement to follow in the fall.
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