Reservoir protection group reorganized

It all started with one man’s dream and the entire county’s opposition to that dream.

When water pipeline developer Aaron Million initially pitched his idea to divert water from the Flaming Gorge Reservoir to Colorado’s Front Range, it was met with opposition from all sides in Sweetwater County and resulted in the formation of Communities Protecting the Green, a committee tasked with monitoring various proposals like Million’s and filing a lawsuit challenging a proposal if it clears the various regulatory hurdles needed to begin work.

Now, the people on the Communities Protecting the Green committee say its time to change the group’s focus, as well as its name.

The Sweetwater County Commissioners approved a request to change the name to the Sweetwater County Water Users Coalition and the focus of the organization, while reappointing members of the original Communities Protecting the Green to the new organization Tuesday afternoon.

Similar agreements through the Green River and Rock Springs Councils are needed and have yet to be approved.

One of Green River’s representatives, Jason Palmer, hand delivered a letter explaining the need to shift the group’s focus to the Green River City Council Tuesday night.

The city’s vote on the issue is anticipated to take place in May.

Sweetwater County Commissioner Randy Wendling said filing a potential lawsuit against a proposal is foolish because a number of conservation groups downstream would challenge any move to divert water from the Flaming Gorge.

“There is a greater need for water than is coming down the river,” he said.

The demand for water in Nevada and southern California in particular, in Wendling’s mind, would drive challenges to any trans basin diversion plan. The letter, drafted by the committee’s vice-chairman Richard Mathey, states the organization decided its original purpose is “not worthwhile.”

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“Since (Communities Protecting the Green) was formed the prospect of a trans basin diversion project has substantially decreased and the feasibility of resisting such a project through litigation has been reconsidered,” Mathey wrote.

Mathey also states the committee hasn’t had to develop the understanding of Wyoming and Colorado water laws needed to protect the county’s water.

The agreement included with Mathey’s letter would set the scope of the organization’s activities to the surface waters of the Green River Basin and focus on the control of waters in the Green River and Colorado River basins as the county is part of the Colorado River basin.

The coalition will advise and consult the governing bodies of the county and both cities on water issues while representing the county residents’ interests regarding surface water. The organization would also encourage the optimal utilization of water to promote responsible community and economic development. It would act as a sponsor for state and federal programs to receive funding for studies, programs and projects while promoting water usage in an economical and environmentally responsible manner.

The Sweetwater County Water Users Coalition also would ensure the county’s water resources are maintained and developed for future county residents and wants to work with the state to protect its rights on the Colorado River within the requirements of the Colorado Basin Compact and the Upper Basin Compact.

The coalition plans to educate residents about issues related to the Green River and Colorado River.