The Lake Powell Pipeline project spans 133 miles and would pump approximately 86,000 Acre Feet of water from Lake Powell to Washington, Iron, and Kane Counties. The citizens of Washington County have a right to discuss the proposed Lake Powell Pipeline. This discussion must center on cost and actual need rather than scare tactics produced by the Washington County Water conservancy District. Local citizens and future generations will bear the cost of this $2 Billion government project. Initial project costs were estimated at $250 Million and have now skyrocketed to over $2 Billion. Can the citizens of Washington County afford this? Do we even need it?
Need for the Lake Powell Pipeline is based on a set of outdated assumptions of future population growth. These assumptions were formulated in 2008. The economic and growth picture has changed dramatically since that time.
Justification for the Pipeline also ignores the possibility of real water conservation. Washington County residents have some of the highest water use in the nation. If we reduced our water use to levels attained in similar climates, the need to bring in water from 140 miles away would disappear.
We live in a desert – a beautiful desert, but a dry place nonetheless. We can conserve our limited water resources and continue our tradition of stewardship in the desert by using our water and money wisely. As a citizen of Washington County you have a right to determine your future.
MeetingsThe Utah Board of Water Resources (UBWR) submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) four modified draft study reports for the Lake Powell Pipeline. The four study reports were modified to consider natural gas to power the pumps of the pipeline. The modified draft reports are for air quality, noise, socioeconomics, and visual resources. The public has an opportunity to comment on these studies. These studies will be used as the basis for getting FERC’s hydropower License and used for the upcoming Draft Environmental Impact Statement due out in a year.