A Nevada water agency said it will use eminent domain to take two small tracts of land west of Lake Las Vegas.

In a move it hasn't used since 2004, the Southern Nevada Water Authority unanimously voted to start up court proceedings to take the undeveloped land along the Las Vegas Wash in order to construct a weir, or a low dam. The dam would curb erosion and improve water quality, officials said.

The anticipated 14-month project to build the Three Kids Weir is slated to cost $16.4 million. But work on the project must begin soon so the agency can take advantage of a federal grant due to expire in October 2014. The grant would cover 70 percent of the cost.

The authority has been working with owners since 2010 to purchase the land, but it can't come to a consensus on price. The authority offered $8,000 for the remaining interest for the two tracts. The owners countered by asking for $500,000 for each parcel.

The landowners couldn't be reached for comment (Henry Brean, Las Vegas Review-Journal, Jan. 17). -- WW