Corps Announces New Big Straw Pipeline Meeting in Rock Springs

Million's Big Straw Draws Wyoming Fire

Prompts Another Public Meeting in Rock Springs

You have an another opportunity to voice opposition to Aaron Million's proposal to drain water from Wyoming's Flaming Gorge Reservoir and the Green River, pipe it across southern Wyoming's dry landscape and then deliver it to Denver's thirsty Front Range suburbs.

Many Wyoming residents heavily criticized the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for having hosted only one meeting in southwest Wyoming on the pipeline proposal. In response, the Corps has announced a second public meeting in Sweetwater County.

We encourage you to attend and speak out against this water grab!

June 9, 2009
6:30pm
East Jr. High School
831 Gobel Street
Rock Springs, WY

Background:

The Million Conservation Resource Group is proposing to construct a 560-mile-long pipeline that would start at the Flaming Gorge Reservoir, parallel Interstate 80 and I-25 south to Pueblo, CO. The $4 billion pipeline would suck about 250,000 acre feet of water from Flaming Gorge Reservoir and the Green River annually.

A hostile crowd of about 300 people greeted Million and Corps of Engineers officials at the first public meeting in Green River. The few citizens allowed to speak at the meeting overwhelmingly opposed Million's privately funded water diversion project.

Diverting much-needed water from the reservoir would hurt local industry, curtail future growth in Green River and Rock Springs, and threaten an important recreational fishery—a big driver of the local economy.

Four Endangered fish species would be placed at even greater risk of extinction. The spread of non-native zebra and quagga mussels could increase dramatically, causing problems for native fish and other native aquatic species. These invasive mussels have a history of repeatedly clogging expensive pipeline components with water customers picking up the bill.

The cities of Green River and Rock Springs, and Sweetwater County have formed a coalition to fight Million's pipeline proposal. Local officials decided the best way to oppose the project is to present a "united front" that would include a proactive campaign against the project. Officials also decided to press the Army Corps for another meeting in Sweetwater County and said they would consider litigation if necessary to try and kill the project.

For more information contact Duane at:

(307) 742-7978