April 13, 2009

OPPOSE THE GREAT GREEN RIVER WATER GRAB!

SPEAK OUT TO OPPOSE GIVING WYOMING'S WATER TO COLORADO
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to analyze the direct, indirect, and cumulative effects of a proposed water project in Wyoming and Colorado. The Corps is hosting two meetings in Wyoming to receive public input on the project.

April 14, 2009, 6:30 to 9 p.m., Green River High School, 1615 Hitching Post Drive, Green River, WY

April 16, 2009, 6:30 to 9 p.m., Laramie High School, 1257 N. 11th St., Laramie, WY

We strongly urge you to attend and speak out about this water grab!

THE BIG STRAW PROJECT
Millionaire Aaron Million's company, the Million Conservation Resource Group, is proposing a Big Straw project that would pump and divert water from the Flaming Gorge Reservoir and the Green River east along I-80 to I-25 and then south to Pueblo, Colorado. This 560 mile, 75 to 115 inch diameter pipeline, would move 250,000 acre feet of water per year on a perpetual basis through the year 2030 and beyond to Colorado's sprawling and thirsty Front Range. Significant draw downs of the Flaming Gorge Reservoir and the Green River not only threatens fish populations but also the health of the river itself which is already in jeopardy by large water draw downs particularly in drought cycles.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL COSTS
The Flaming Gorge Reservoir is not only a major recreational area for Wyoming families but also a major destination for tourists. Major draw downs of the reservoir will create problems for a National Recreation Area that draws 2.5 million visitors each year. This does not make good recreational or economic sense for Wyoming.

The health of the river itself, already stressed by dams and other water withdrawal, could be further jeopardized by such large and continuous water withdrawals. There are four species of fish that are protected under the Endangered Species Act, and if their populations are threatened, it could result in a domino effect of difficulties up and down the river. And it is hard to predict what such a large drop in flows would do to the trout fishery in the tailwaters below the Flaming Gorge Dam.

A TAXPAYER BOONDOGGLE
The cost of this project is estimated to be around $4 billion and Mr. Million says he's willing to pick up the cost. However, this estimate does not include cost over runs which always accompany large construction projects and assumes that the project will be completed on deadline, 3 years in this case, which rarely happens.

It will only be a matter of time before Mr. Million will have his hands in the public trough with blended bonding authorities of water districts and municipalities and we, the taxpayers and water customers, will be helping to pay for this boondoggle just like other previous major trans-basing diversions.

UNKNOWN AND NEGATIVE IMPACTS ON WYOMING'S COMMUNITIES
Then there is the question of how this water grab will affect other water users on the Green River system. The river serves the needs of communities in southwest Wyoming, and agricultural water users up and down the river could be affected. Communities need to know how much water they can count on to serve all their water users, particularly in drought cycles. That is why, in a letter to the U.S. Corps of Army Engineers, the Sweetwater County Commissioners have wisely opposed this project based on the need and ability to have a dependable supply of water that will sustain future development.

A LEGAL CAN OF WORMS
The pipeline will have to be built across hundreds of miles of private property, entailing easement negotiations, and intrusions. The project also poses questions about defining which states are entitled to which allotments under the Colorado River Compact.

It makes no sense for Wyoming residents and water users to send Green River water all the way across Wyoming to water the blue grass lawns and fill the swimming pools of Colorado's Front Range. Nor is it good public policy to turn the control of the spigot over to one private individual.

If you are unable to attend and speak out at the scoping meetings, please submit comments!

Written comments for scoping will be accepted until May 19, 2009:

Ms. Rena Brand, Regulatory Specialist
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District
Denver Regulatory Office
9307 S. Wadsworth Blvd.
Littleton, CO 80128
Phone (303) 979-4120
Fax (303) 979-0602
E-mail address to submit comments: MCRG.EIS@usace.army.mil