More than 20 Washoe County residents rallied Monday outside the Washoe County administrative building before launching an effort to put two binding questions on growth on the Nov. 4 ballot.

By June 20, the group must submit the signatures of at least 18,000 voters to put a question on the ballot, said Bob Fulkerson, Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada executive director.

One question demands regional planning be based on sustainable water supplies within Washoe County.

The other prevents Reno and Sparks from annexing lands not on their borders and would require such land to be developed at urban densities.

The question intends to stop the Winnemucca Ranch project west of Pyramid Lake from becoming part of the city of Reno. Even though Reno cannot annex the land, the city planning commission on Wednesday night will consider zoning for the property allowing up to 12,000 homes.

"I feel like a rabble rouser. I should have a tree to hug," said Jerry Purdy, a retired engineer, as he lined up for the rally.

In the $1 million-plus studies done for a recently adopted regional water plan, consultants estimate potential water resources are available for only half of the growth projected for the region, including 276,000 new homes in Reno, Sparks and outlying areas through 2030.

"The goal of our water initiative is to make sure the land-use plan and the water plan are in sync. Right now, they are completely out of whack," Fulkerson said.

At the rally, people presented photographs of a mud-cracked Truckee River bed in 1992 after the river had run dry past the Derby Dam in the East Truckee Canyon.

In a hearing before county officials last week, lobbyists for developers and contractors said the water issues are far too complex for voters to decide and should be left to public officials.

The commission declined requests to put advisory questions on the ballot.

Sandy McGill of Rancho Haven Residents for Sensible Growth said it makes no sense for Reno to have Winnemucca Ranch within its annexation area north of her neighborhood.

"We are a rural area, and they are trying to put a suburb of 25,000 people north of us," she said.

Paul Riccardi, a retired contractor, also signed a petition.

"I want to see some well-planned growth," he said. "I've lived here all my life. They make plans, and then, they change the plans."

He said Thomas Creek will dry up on his property after the water is taken away for a new water treatment plant in the south Truckee Meadows.

Officials announced Monday that construction of the new plant will be delayed a year because of the housing slowdown.

Riccardi said that "could be a blessing in disguise. We need to slow down and regroup."

Doug Smith of Scenic Nevada anticipates a long fight. After he gathered enough signatures for a citizens' initiative limiting the number of billboards in Reno and won on the 2000 ballot, he said billboard companies took the issue to Washoe District Court and then to the Nevada Supreme Court twice. The voters' decision was upheld, he said.