The US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) has announced the Public Scoping phase for the proposed Green River/Flaming Gorge pipeline project, aka the "Regional Watershed Supply Project" (RWSP). The project has been proposed by the Million Conservation Resource Group, a private entity from Colorado. RWSP would pump 250,000 acre feet (AF) of water from the Green River, at two different diversion points (one at Flaming Gorge and one upstream in Wyoming), delivering 225,000AF to Colorado and 25,000AF to Wyoming. The Corps is currently conducting Public Scoping on this project to hear the thoughts of citizens throughout the area and will accept comments through May 19. Update: The Corps has extended the comment deadline to July 27, and added new public hearings in western Colorado - June 10 in Craig (Center of Craig, 601 Yampa Ave, 6:30 pm) and June 11 in Grand Junction (Mesa County Fairgrounds, 6:30 pm).
The full impacts of the project are not known, but the volume of water diverted is substantial and likely to alter flows not just in the Green River (both in Wyoming and in the Flaming Gorge tailwaters), but also the Upper Colorado River. The project may also have impacts on recreational activities at Flaming Gorge Reservoir and in the Upper Colorado, and impact the Upper Colorado Endangered Species Recovery Program. CTU has many questions and concerns about the proposal and its possible impacts on rivers, fisheries, and communities.
We need your help. The Corps needs to hear from concerned citizens about the potential impacts of this project that they need to analyze and consider before issuing any permit. At the scoping stage, the Corps is looking for feedback on issues that need to be considered as part of its development of an Environmental Impact Statement as well as alternatives that should be considered.
Comments regarding the proposal and EIS should be addressed to:
Ms. Rena Brand, Regulatory Specialist
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District
Denver Regulatory Office
9307 S. Wadsworth Blvd.
Littleton, CO 80128-6901
Fax (303)-979-0602
E-mail address to submit comments: MCRG.EIS@usace.army.mil
The deadline for submitting scoping comments is July 27.
Issues you may want to consider in your comments include:
- What is the need for this project? RWSP's sponsor points to anticipated water demands along Colorado's Front Range - yet he has no customers identified who have expressed interest in purchasing water from this project. For an EIS the Corps is required to develop a "purpose and need" statement - yet for this project, its purpose is entirely speculative.
- How will reduced flows in the Colorado River system impact trout fisheries, whitewater recreation and commercial outfitting? The Green River in Wyoming and the tailwater reach in Utah are major angling resources, offering high-quality trout fisheries and generating millions of dollars in revenue and direct and indirect economic impacts throughout the basin. Reduced flows may jeopardize this fishery resource, as well as the commercial outfitters and whitewater recreationists that also depend upon adequate Green River flows.
- Is there enough water available for this project? Recent studies indicate there may be only 150,000AF of water available in Colorado for development under the Colorado River Compact. Currently there are at least two other water projects being developed in Colorado alone, which rely on the Upper Colorado River system and there may also be a huge demands for water for large scale energy developments in Colorado, Utah and Wyoming, all of which further reduces the amount available for other uses in the Colorado River system.
- How will this project impact the Upper Colorado Endangered Species Recovery Program? The Green River is a vital component of the Program to help preserve four warmwater endangered fish species; reduced flows could have a serious impact on the program’s ability to properly protect the fish.
- What will a project of this type cost? To date the proponent has only given rough estimates of the costs, ranging from $2.2 – 7 Billion, just to construct the project. Additional costs for reservoirs on the Front Range of Colorado, annual costs to pump water more than 500 miles, other operating costs are also likely to be substantial.
- How will energy demands for the project be addressed and with what impact? Pumping water more than 500 miles across the Continental Divide will require significant new energy resources. Developing new energy supplies may have significant environmental effects both locally and globally (e.g., carbon emissions), and these must be clearly analyzed and disclosed.
- Look at the alternatives. If the purpose of this project is to meet future water needs for Colorado's Front Range, there are many alternatives that should be considered - including expanded efforts on water conservation, greater sharing of water resources between municipal users and agricultural irrigators, and smaller-scale water development projects that may have lesser impacts.
Thank you for helping lend your voice in this important process.