Ranchers worry Utah will give in on water issue

A David and Goliath battle in Utah's west desert is warming up again. Ranchers standing up to the so-called "Las Vegas water grab" are raising fears Utah will give in too easily, possibly to avoid retaliation by a powerful Nevada senator. It's pretty clear Utah officials want a friendly deal with Nevada and not a water war. The question is, how much water can Las Vegas pump along the border before it starts to hurt Utah? This week, the federal government launches the latest round of scientific studies. Pumping groundwater is what made the west desert bloom for generations of farmers and ranchers. They've lined up mostly against plans by Las Vegas to drill wells near the border. The big city wants to pump an aquifer that's mostly under rural Utah. Rancher Dean Baker said, "If they take all the water they say is available, there won't be a live plant left that puts its roots in the water." But Utah officials have been negotiating an agreement with Nevada. They say it will protect Utah's interests...KSL-TV