GBWN recently submitted comments to federal officials opposing another boondoggle in Southern Utah. This time Washington County and Kane County officials want to build a damn on the East Fork of the Virgin River a stone’s throw from Zion National Park. We worked in partnership with the Utah River’s Council and other groups in order to defend the water from profligate use.
The project –– which would be predominantly funded by the federal government –– is for municipal use in St. George but is masquerading as a project for agriculture. This is not just a slap in the face to the Virgin River — an important tributary to the Colorado River. But it’s also a slap in the face to well-meaning farmers and ranchers who should be aided by the money. Instead, this money would be squandered on a project that aims to support sprawl development in the worst water wasting community in the United States.
St. George — which is also the champion of the disastrous Lake Powell Pipeline — doesn’t need new sources of water like this. They need conservation and innovation. Taxpayers shouldn’t be on the hook for a careless project like this.
Read our letter here and give the Utah Rivers Council a shout out for taking the lead.