Click here to read this story by Brian Maffly of The Salt Lake Tribune called " After Insisting on Expedited Review Utah Now Asks Feds to Delay Lake Powell Pipeline"
KUTV story by Jennifer Weaver
The Utah Division of Water Resources and Washington County Water Conservancy District have requested an extended timeline from the Bureau of Reclamation to consider comments received on the Lake Powell Pipeline's draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) from the public, tribes, non-government organizations, and fellow Colorado River Basin states.
“The Lake Powell Pipeline is a critical water infrastructure project for Utah,” stated Todd Adams, director, Utah Division of Water Resources, in a news release. “The extension will allow more time to consider the comments and complete further analysis, which will contribute to a more comprehensive draft and final EIS.”
Thousands of comments expressing both support and questions were received during the recent public comment period, which ended on Sept. 8.
“We’re grateful to all those who have participated in the NEPA process,” stated Zach Renstrom, general manager, Washington County Water Conservancy District. “Thoughtful comments were submitted, and thoughtful responses are deserved. This is the purpose and process of NEPA.”
The Bureau of Reclamation will establish a new timeline for the water delivery project that will provide water to 10 communities in southern Utah in response to this request. The extension will allow the bureau time to prepare a supplement to the draft EIS, which is common during NEPA.
Read the letter from Utah Division of Water Resources
