ST. GEORGE — Estimates from the Washington County Water Conservancy District and the state of Utah show the cost of the Lake Powell Pipeline to be between $500 million and $800 million, but the project's opponents maintain that figure is actually closer to $2 billion.

That discrepancy, in addition to claims that Washington County residents will foot the entire bill for the project, left some attendees at a four-hour water symposium asking for a referendum. The event, held at Dixie State College, brought out about 150 people.

The discussion of a referendum came to the forefront during the question-and-answer forum held after representatives from various agencies and organizations had made several presentations.

"I think there should be a referendum," said Jeff Feldman of Ivins. "More information should be put out to the public and I think there should a referendum. I think the people would like to decide what they want."

Later, one resident received wide support from the audience, who applauded after he told Washington County Water Conservancy District General Manager Ron Thompson he would like to see him give the people an opportunity to vote on the issue.

A referendum is probably not going to happen, Thompson said. Instead, the water conservancy district will rely more on elected officials who represent the voice of the people to decide the fate of the pipeline.

"The public is probably not going to have a direct say in whether the Lake Powell Pipeline moves forward," he said.

The Utah Legislature passed a statute in 2006 authorizing the state to pursue development of the Lake Powell Pipeline.

Other major concerns for attendees were the cost of the pipeline as well as the large discrepancy between the state's figures and those given by Paul Van Dam, executive director of Citizens for Dixie's Future, during his presentation.

According to Van Dam, the state has not taken into consideration several factors, including interest on bonds that will have to be repaid.

The question of who would pay for the pipeline rallied even more support for the referendum after Van Dam informed audience members the state planned on making Washington County residents responsible.

"I think citizens ought to be a little bit upset, a little bit suspicious," Van Dam said. "We the people ought to have a significant say in this. It's taxation without representation."

But Thompson maintained that impact fees will pay for the construction of the project and the revenue from hydropower sales will cover the ongoing costs of overhead and maintenance.

Construction on the pipeline is slated to begin in 2013 and to be finished by 2020.

---

E-mail: traciesullivan@msn.com