Sweetwater County officials unite, strongly oppose proposed water diversion

Green River, WY – A private plan to divert 250,000 acre feet of water from Southwestern Wyoming is drawing strong opposition from a number of elected officials from Sweetwater County.  The plan proposed by the Million Conservation Resource Group (MCRG) would draw water from the Green River and Flaming Gorge Reservoir and transport it 560 miles to the Front Range of Colorado.

Senator Marty Martin of Senate District 12, Senator John Hastert of Senate District 13, Representative Bernadine Craft of House District 17, Representative Joseph Barbuto of House District 48, Representative Stan Blake of House District 39 and Representative Bill Thompson of House District 60 united in opposition

Representative Bernadine Craft spoke out saying, “This proposed trans-basin diversion project would seriously impact all that we hold dear in Sweetwater County: family recreation opportunities, tourism, agriculture, riparian habitats, fishing, and indeed the very welfare of our communities.”

“The water that this project proposes to divert is crucial to the industry and residents of Sweetwater County.  It would threaten economic development and environmental vitality,” explained Senator John Hastert.  “Allowing our water to be brokered by a private corporation would be a disservice to the people of Wyoming,” Hastert said.

Representative Joseph Barbuto continued saying, "A private corporation attempting something like this is unheard of and not a precedent we should allow to be set in Wyoming.  I'm glad to see so many individuals and groups coming out in opposition."

 “I communicated my disapproval in a letter to the Army Corps of Engineers and will continue to oppose this plan as a member of the Wyoming House and the House Select Water Committee,” commented Representative Stan Blake.

 “It’s an exercise of common sense to realize that there will be damage throughout the whole river system due to this water being diverted,” asserted Representative Bill Thompson.

The officials stressed that this proposal is unacceptable because it will affect ecological balance, impact recreation opportunities, and threaten current industry and future development for Wyoming residents and stakeholders.  Senator Marty Martin added, “We are not willing to compromise the well-being of Wyoming or the downstream users who would be negatively impacted by such an irresponsible move.”  All have vowed to continue to be vocal critics of the project.