Committee considers bill to expand capacity and reach of wildlife "guzzlers"

CARSON CITY — The Nevada Assembly Committee on Natural Resources heard testimony March 10 on Assembly Bill 132, a proposal to revise NRS 533.027 to increase the maximum permitted capacity of wildlife water developments commonly called "guzzlers" from 20,000 gallons to 40,000 gallons and to lengthen the allowed pipe run from one-quarter mile to one-half mile.

Assemblymember Toby Yurek, who introduced the bill, said the legislation was sponsored by the Nevada Coalition for Wildlife in response to persistent drought that is stressing wildlife populations. "This legislation actually came to me, at the request of the Nevada Coalition of Wildlife in response to ongoing drought conditions that are impacting our state's wildlife," Yurek said.

The bill would maintain existing conditions for the statutory exemption from water-appropriation laws — including that collection not conflict with existing water rights and that projects be approved by the Nevada Department of Wildlife — while allowing larger storage tanks and longer pipelines where needed.

Why it matters: Witnesses said the changes are targeted to Southern Nevada, where extended dry periods have left some guzzlers depleted, and where refilling by helicopter has become costly. Larry Johnson, president of the Coalition for Nevada's Wildlife, described guzzlers as "artificial man made water developments for the benefit of wildlife" and said larger tanks and longer pipe runs would make individual installations more resilient in drought years. Johnson said helicopter refills can cost "a thousand to $2,000 an hour" and that agencies have previously relied on NGOs to help defray those expenses.

Brad Bauman, water development program lead for the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW), told the committee that NDOW has undertaken helicopter water hauls and that those operations have cost roughly $15,000 per day; the department has bucketed water to about 25 guzzlers to date. Bauman said the typical larger water development currently is designed for about 10,000–12,000 gallons and that several existing developments are close to the present 20,000-gallon statutory cap.

Local water managers and hunting and conservation organizations testified in support. Warren Hardy of the Moapa Valley Water District said his district donates water to guzzler refills in drought, and Paul Young, a member of the Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners, called timing "of the essence" for southern counties experiencing shortages. Supporting testimony also came from Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, Bighorns Unlimited, the Nevada Conservation League, and agricultural representatives who said they had reviewed concerns about feral horses and did not expect the bill to expand feral‑horse range.

Committee discussion included technical clarifications: Assemblymember DeLong asked whether the 40,000‑gallon figure referred to U.S. gallons; Johnson confirmed it did. Members also asked how guzzlers are protected from livestock; Johnson said drinkers are fenced with pipe rail that excludes range cattle and feral horses while permitting wildlife access.

No formal committee vote on AB 132 was taken during the hearing. The committee heard and closed public testimony; sponsors and agency staff waived closing remarks.

The hearing record includes multiple technical and programmatic clarifications about how projects are sited, built and funded: NDOW and partner sportsmen's groups track volunteer labor and vehicle mileage as state match for federal Pittman–Robertson funds, and NDOW operates dedicated guzzler crews in the north and south of the state and supervises volunteer construction.

The committee left the bill open for further consideration.

(Ending) The committee closed the AB 132 hearing and proceeded to the next item on the agenda. Several supporters asked that written testimony and the department's cost figures be entered into the record for staff and members to review.