"If there's not enough water there (for the pipeline), then there's not enough water here. That would be just a minor problem for us because that means the Virgin River would be dry, too," Thompson said. "We'll go through the water supply process as part of our documentation."

Taking a hard look at southern Utah's major sources of local water and population projections for the near future are an essential part of the process, said one Washington County group lobbying against the pipeline.

"A vulnerability assessment would be a good idea," said Paul Van Dam, executive director of Citizens for Dixie's Future. "This is obviously being talked about by a lot of water managers in the West, and I think it would bring a lot of comfort to a lot of people if a risk vulnerability assessment were done."

Utah is seeking FERC's approval of the project because it includes hydroelectric power plants capable of generating up to 363 megawatts of power, said Larry Anderson, project manager for the pipeline.

The state is hopeful that FERC will take the lead on the project and help move it through the licensing and permitting processes required with other federal agencies. A decision is expected from FERC within the next 60 days.

"FERC has to decide if it will permit the entire project or portions of the project," Anderson said. "They may well not do the line up to Cedar City since there's no hydroelectric power there."

Utah plans to construct and fund the pipeline through bonds issued by the Division of Water Resources. That money would be paid back to the state by the three water conservancy districts as its members purchase water from the division.

More information about the Lake Powell Pipeline project can be found at lakepowellpipeline.org

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If you go . . .

Who: Utah Board of Water Resources
Why: Public information meetings about the Lake Powell pipeline project.
All meetings are 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

WHERE:

• Monday — Kanab City Library, multipurpose room, 374 N. Main, Kanab.
• Tuesday — Hurricane City Council room, 147 N. 870 W. Hurricane.
• Wednesday — Apple Valley Fire Station, 6802 Meadow Lark Drive, Apple Valley.
• Thursday — Big Water Town Hall, 5 Aaron Burr, Big Water.

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E-mail: nperkins@desnews.com