PROVO, UTAH - The Bureau of Reclamation has extended the comment period on the draft Environmental Assessment for the Green River Block Water Exchange Contract by two weeks. The document considers the possible impacts of the contract on the human and natural environment as required by the National Environmental Policy Act.
The water exchange contract, between Reclamation and the State of Utah, would facilitate the development of the Green River Block portion of the State’s Ultimate Phase water right. Releases from Flaming Gorge Dam could be altered to meet annual water demands under the exchange contract. However, operations of Flaming Gorge Dam would remain within the parameters analyzed in the 2005 Operation of Flaming Gorge Dam Final Environmental Impact Statement and established in the 2006 Record of Decision. The Green River Block water exchange contract is distinct and separate from the contract proposed for the Lake Powell Pipeline project.
Multiple resources were considered in the assessment, including the hydrology of the Green River, recreational opportunities, floodplains, fish and wildlife habitats, endangered species, among others. A draft version of the EA can be found at https://www.usbr.gov/uc/envdocs/index.html.
Stakeholder input is essential to the environmental review process - members of the public are invited and encouraged to provide comment. Comments should be submitted by Nov. 2, 2018, to greenriverblock@usbr.gov or via mail addressed to Bureau of Reclamation, Attn: Jared Baxter, 302 E 1860 S, Provo, Utah 84606.
Source: Bureau of Reclamation
