Reader comments
Residents ask for vote on Lake Powell Pipeline

Bob G | 4:59 a.m. April 21, 2008

Salt Lake county residents are still saddled with the same kind of pipe line bond. The pipe line was never built or rather completed, and we instead are paying for the Jordenlle dam project, after the taxes were redirected. After 30 years we are still paying taxes for the pipeline that never was. We can't trust our elected officials, they are not elected to make our decisions. Elected officials are elected to be our voice and obey our wishes, not the wishes of lobbyists or project works departments. Once the projects are bonded and taxes collected there is no guarantee the taxes won't be used for other tax use. Bonding for projects is just another way of raising general taxes, a criminal use of taxation without representatiion. Then what about all the water being wasted and dumped in to the desert landscape outside of St George? If there is so much ground water that it can be wasted, then why is the pipe line necessary? After getting the bond will the pipe line be cancelled and the taxes diverted to other uses? Taxation and its use need more specific laws on how it is collected and used.

Sajac | 5:41 a.m. April 21, 2008

That's a hefty price, but we must have more golf courses--good heavens yes!!

St. George | 5:52 a.m. April 21, 2008

This meeting represents only the no growth and their opposition group. They put the meeting together and they were the vast overwhelming majority in attendance.

Point is we need the water, and these people see this as their only way to stop growth.

They should just move to some rural area, if they dont like other people.

Comments continue below

Native of St. George | 5:58 a.m. April 21, 2008

Not only do we need this local water project, we need a National water project called NAWAPA (North American Water and Power Alliance)

liberal larry | 6:40 a.m. April 21, 2008

The St George area has one of the highest water usage rates in the country. It is very important, if this thing is ever build, that Washington County residents foot the entire bill for this project! It is not right for the rest of the state to subsidize their profligate ways.

stephencpace | 6:41 a.m. April 21, 2008

Vote? This is Utah. We don't get carried away with that democracy crap! You'll do as you're told.

Dave | 7:54 a.m. April 21, 2008

There has allready been a vote, when the officials in charge where elected, that is the way it works,and it is the best way.

Honesty | 8:00 a.m. April 21, 2008

I will guarantee that commercial interests will lie, deny and do anything necessary to get this pipeline committment. The regular homeowners NOW will be taxed, and waxed like they can't believe unless they step up to the plate BIG TIME in the very near future, regarding all meetings and discussions on this ill-advised project. Make sure that contract language puts the liability on financial, developers and those that will benefit from this if it is allowed to proceed- voters and homeowners. Anything less will be financial suicide.

Another St. George Resident | 8:09 a.m. April 21, 2008

A 2 BILLION DOLLAR, historically expensive pipeline from a water source that is drying up... all so they can continue to build golf courses. This project is a huge waste of taxpayer dollars.

Old story | 8:37 a.m. April 21, 2008

Reading this article, an adage comes to mind. You can afford anything, if you're spending someone else's dollars.

When, we see the money leaving our wallets, we figure out how to live within our means.

Think | 8:42 a.m. April 21, 2008

Develop area drainages. thats where to spend money, not on some pie in the sky water resource that probaly won't be there after the pipeline is built. Wake-up water managers you have holding capacity now just develop the drainages we have and limit the annual growth to a manageable percentage, while this work is being done. To bond people for 50 years without a source guarantee is ridiculous.

Mongo | 8:41 a.m. April 21, 2008

Dave--in what fantasy world do you live? Do you think elected officials care about the people who elected them? Having watched our elected officials closely for the past few years makes me believe that the only thing they thing about is how to exert more power to make more money for them and their friends. Just a few examples--the voucher fight--their statement was that they didn't care what the majority of the people said--they knew better than the people. Another--the "friends of contractors" bill that they all voted for. It makes it virtually impossible to sue a contractor for shoddy work. Just who does this bill benefit. You? Me? No, the small percentage of their constituents (friends) who happen to be contractors. Want more examples? I have plenty. It's time to sweep the slate clean and start over.

TERM LIMITS!!!

L | 8:55 a.m. April 21, 2008

Amen to Old Story !

Maybe there is a time we should put out a sign "FULL" in certain areas such as Las Vegas and maybe even St. George when resources are limited.

Some of the "business" (that make jobs & need for houses and pipelines") could be located in say Cedar City, Beaver, Fillmore etc. where they could contribute to those communities rather than a 2 billion? pipeline to import resources from somewhere else. I think it would help St. George to remain a better community and also help other communities as well.

I am certainly opposed to others outside St. George paying for "improvements" that primimarly benefit that area.

Depending on what you believe, but I understand that Las Vegas projects difficulty of getting enough water from Lake Powell, so much they are proposing building long pipelines to the north, drilling wells and even lowering their Lake Powell intake. What if we put in a St.George pipeline & the Colorado River flow decreases, where will that leave Washington County? Pretty Dry?

I think the pipeline idea is promoted for the profit of some right now but doesn't have the best view of the future clearly in mind.

AZ | 9:09 a.m. April 21, 2008

So the developers from Nevada are going to be allowed to take water from the aquifer in Washington County and direct it to developments in Las Vegas, while St. George residents are going to build a pipeline from Lake Powell? Boggles my mind with the reasoning! Arizona is having similar problems with Las Vegas developers wanting to build mega developments in Arizona just over the border for workers in Las Vegas- but with no water available. They have to get it somewhere. That whole corner of the west has some serious water issues that need to be addressed on a regional level. It's not just a St. George problem!!!

Utah Valley Resident | 11:30 a.m. April 21, 2008

Western states water usage is becoming more of a critical issue. Lower Colorado River drainage and contiguous states' allocation needs to be reviewed. Golf course and sprawling residential developing areas in southern California, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah are barking louder. These states need to take more seriously all of these urban water uses versus the overriding issue of agricultal use of water. Taking water from the subterannean sources would undoubtably be deleterious to future available water sources. The taxing authorities associated with these proposals are burdening the citizens with unsustainable tax obligations. This is Unamerican. Citizens should be able to vote on reforendums in the affected areas who will be impacted by the water users. Actually in the St. George area, they need to address water runoff issues to control high water during spring and other flooding periods. What has happened in recent years is irresponsible, coupled with risky building site approvals, resulting in property losses. Who is running these agencies....? Let's get Harry Reid and his cronies to bring these matters out into the daylight. He is such a proponent of TRANSPARENCY in all of the important issues. Come on Harry!!!!

Thompson | 12:32 p.m. April 21, 2008

Thompson's claim that the pipeline can be funded with impact fes is nonsense. If impact fees were riased to the point that would be necessary to pay for the pipeline, construction would stop cold - no one would ever build another structure in Washington County. (Not that that would be a bad thing, but if the pipeline is built the money has to come from somewhere, and that wouldn't be it.)

Anonymous | 3:20 p.m. April 21, 2008

Follow the money in this matter. It trumps any water demands or needs and reflects the real energy behind the proposed pipeline. Residents and commercial interests in Washington County can and should initiate serious conservation initiatives.
Home and commercial water use can and should be diminished. And those that champion the line. Who are the contractors that will be employed and receive the largest chunk of change in this matter? And the water conservancy district - their efforts are laudatory - when it comes to spending tax dollars for more capitol improvements, that only shackle taxpayers with a stream of endless tax obligations for decades. When is the District going to stand up for strict conservation efforts and pay equal attention to this important side of the equation. And is this really a pipe dream - build it and the water will come? What if future water is instead, fed to Colorado, Nevada or Arizona; or what if mother nature draws up more draught and slows the watershed tap? A public vote should be held on the matter, regardless of what the District head directs. The fear, is that the public will say, no thanks. Folk should speak out.

Residents | 1:05 p.m. April 22, 2008

Your rights to vote will be un incumbered if you don't vote
We do not have a nany law that says you have no rights
You should not have to fight this

ibmeubeu | 8:21 p.m. April 22, 2008

"..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." These are the words from the state; we should hold them to it if the project goes into development.

It's a shame that more people didn't show up for the meeting (only 150). I'm a resident of Washington County and know how severe the water problems are for the whole west as well as for Washington County.

The truth is, as long as population expands, land will fill with people and no "FULL" signs can be put up. Those for zero growth in Washington County have to realize that.

Those concerned with paying more taxes if the costs are more than estimated should have a voice by vote and not be told by state (politics and power) what will be. However, the same people need to look at personal water usage, decrease sizes of lawns or put in drought resistant vegetation, and NOT encourage growth in parks and recreation (including golf courses).

It's time everyone concerned realized we live in a desert.

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