LETTER: Inane drivel on federal land and water

LETTER: Inane drivel on federal land and water E. Henry Humbert Pahrump • August 5, 2026 - 9:00 pm The author opens by calling for a global check, noting that roughly a week ago the Review‑Journal’s editorial page bombarded readers with criticism of the federal government’s control over the lands surrounding Las Vegas and its effect on housing prices. He concedes that the accusation is correct, but argues that until the water situation is resolved, such discussion amounts to a pointless distraction. He warns that if the water shortage remains unresolved, the trade‑off will shift to choosing between power generation and drinking water supplies. The writer points out that the tri‑state region faces a new federal model unveiled last month, which calls for deeper cuts to Nevada’s allocation of Colorado River water. He suggests that the Review‑Journal and other commentators would be better served directing their efforts toward substantive solutions rather than peripheral debates.