CO, WY Move Forward with Colorado River Diversions
Eric Galatas, Producer
Tuesday, March 22, 2016
DENVER - Wyoming has moved one step closer to getting more water for ranching, agriculture and industrial development.
The U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources has advanced a bill that would allow the state to take an additional 125,000 acre-feet of water from the Green River at the Fontenelle Dam.
Gary Wockner, executive director of the group Save the Colorado, says it would be the largest new diversion of water from the Colorado River, which is fed by the Green River, and could hurt a downstream ecosystem already at risk.
"Wyoming is being very clear, too, that they want to 'get their water out' before the system collapses," he says. "And before the federal government potentially steps in and tries to force a different kind of management on the river."
State officials say expanding the Fontenelle is necessary for farmers and ranchers who need a reliable water supply to keep crops and livestock healthy.
They feel the measure would also be an economic incentive for new businesses to grow and create jobs in southwestern Wyoming.
Wockner notes Wyoming isn't the only state trying to get more water from a shrinking source.
He points to a proposal by Denver Water to expand the Gross Dam that would remove an additional 5 billion gallons annually from the Colorado.
While upper-basin states may technically have rights to the water, Wockner says the challenges of a changing climate and 16 years of drought can't be ignored.
"No matter what sort of beneficial use they propose to use it for, the paper rights for the water may exist," he says. "But what's called 'wet water,' or the real water, is not there anymore."
Wockner says his group and others will continue to oppose diversion efforts during upcoming study and permitting periods, to keep water flowing in the Colorado River system.
get more stories like this via email
Health and Wellness
A recent report examined how some rural Tennessee hospitals have managed to stay afloat despite financial challenges. The report includes interviews …
Social Issues
Earlier this month, a new Arizona Public Service rate hike went into effect and one senior advocacy group said those on a fixed income may struggle …
Social Issues
Michigan recently implemented a significant juvenile justice reform package following recommendations from a task force made up of prosecutors…
Social Issues
A mix of policy updates and staffing boosts has helped to put wage theft enforcement on the radar in Minnesota, and officials leading the efforts are …
Social Issues
Colorado is working to boost the state's agricultural communities by getting more fresh, nutritious foods into school cafeterias - and a new online …
Social Issues
Missouri lawmakers are concerned with protecting people from the potential risks of the increasing accessibility of AI-generated images and videos…