My father, William C. Chapman, worked for Thiokol when it first started up its Promontory facility. The reason Thiokol chose Utah was because of the state's dry air, and manufacturing solid rocket motors is significantly easier in a dry climate. But Thiokol also needed water. Without water, there could be no Thiokol in Utah. My father was intimately involved in its quest for water.

Thiokol tried everything to find water. It exhausted every scientific and engineering method for locating water. It even tried non-scientific methods like water divining. All failed.

Thiokol got its water. It learned a lesson, which my father taught me from that experience. The lesson is important in the Snake Valley water controversy. Thiokol got its water from farmers and ranchers in the area. The farmers and ranchers knew more about water in the area than the best water scientists and engineers Thiokol could find.

So when scientists and engineers say that the Snake Valley has enough water for Las Vegas, listen to the farmers and ranchers in the Snake Valley who say there isn't enough water. Farmers and ranchers know more about water than any scientist or engineer.

George Chapman

Salt Lake City