Study declares Flaming Gorge pipeline ‘expensive’ water project
Proposed diversion of water from the Green River over to Colorado
by Pinedale Online!
September 8, 2011
A study released September 7th analyzed the economics and finances of the Flaming Gorge Pipeline (FGP) project, a proposal to divert water from the Green River at Flaming Gorge Reservoir in Wyoming over to the Colorado Front Range to help that state meet their growing water needs. The study was done by Honey Creek Resources Inc. on behalf of Western Resource Advocates.
This pipeline has been proposed by Fort Collins entrepreneur Aaron Million. It proposes to tap into the Green River at two sites: one just three miles below the city of Green River, and the other from the western side of the Flaming Gorge Reservoir. The pipeline would be up to 120 inches in diameter and would run 501 miles from the reservoir, through southeast Wyoming into Colorado. It is estimated the pipeline may cost between $7 billion and $9 billion.
The report analyzed the impact of the project on recreation visitations and local expenditures on Green River and assessed the appeal of project water to potential Front Range users and probable water delivered cost on a dollar per acre foot basis.
Based on the analysis, the report said the diversion project would have a significant adverse impact to the value of recreation and the recreational experience at Flaming Gorge Reservoir and along the Green River. The report noted that diverting water from the Flaming Gorge Reservoir would hurt businesses that rely on sportsmen and river rafters along the Green and Colorado rivers, resulting in a potential annual decline of $58.5 million.
Click on this link for the report
|
