Threat to Green River Water

Uranium Watch would like to bring to your attention a threat to the Green and Colorado Rivers and the community that uses the rivers for private, educational, and commercial recreation. The threat is due to a proposal by Transition Power Development LLC to site a 2-unit nuclear reactor (known as the Blue Castle Generation Project) about 3 miles west of the Green River and the City of Green River.

Transition Power has leased 53,600 acre feet of water that it intends to pipe from the Green River to the site, just north of I-70 and the railroad and east of Hwy. 6. The water would be used to cool the reactor, to operate the reactor, and as a heat sink in case of a nuclear accident.

There is now an opportunity to protest and request a hearing on the withdrawal of 29,600 acre-feet of the water (over 26.5 million gallons per day), which was leased from the Kane County Water Conservancy District (KCWCD). On March 30, 2009, KCWCD applied to change the point(s) of diversion, place of use, and nature of use for Water Rights 89-74, 89-1285, and 89-1513. Application:

http://www.uraniumwatch.org/transitionpower/kcwcd.89-74_changeapplication.090330.pdf

Protests and any requests for a hearing must be filed with the Kent L. Jones, State Engineer, Division of Water Rights, P.O. Box 146300, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84114-6300 on or before Monday, May 25, 2009.

An objection to the application must be readable and state the filing number (a35402), reasons for objections, protestant’s name and address, and any request for a hearing. A protest must be signed by the protesting party or representative. A protest may be faxed, but a signed paper copy must also be sent in the mail. Fax to 801-538-7467.

The will be an informal proceedings pursuant to Utah Administrative Code Rule R655-6-2 of the DWR

For a paper copy of the application, call 1-866-882-4426.

What are the Issues?

According to Utah Code Annotated, Section 73-3-8, it shall be the duty of the state engineer to approve an application if:

• There is unappropriated water in the proposed source.
• The proposed use will not impair existing rights.
• The proposed use will not interfere with the more beneficial use of the water.
• The proposed plan is physically feasible.
• The proposed plan is economically feasible.
• The proposed plan will not be detrimental to the public welfare.
• The applicant has the financial ability to complete the proposed works.
• The application was filed in good faith and not for purposes of speculation or monopoly.
• The appropriation will not unreasonably affect public recreation.
• The appropriation will not unreasonably affect the natural stream environment.

If an application does not meet the requirements of this section, it shall be rejected.

The March 30 Application does not address any of these criteria.

The withdrawal of such a large amount of water (almost 50 million gallons per day), if the project is approved, would have an adverse impacts on public recreation, stream environment, and public welfare. The intake structures in the river, which would supply the water to gigantic pumps on the bank of the river, could be hazardous to recreation. Having a nuclear reactor next to the Green River would discourage recreational visitors to the whole area. Any commercial recreation company would have to be knowledgeable about any emergency response planning and have their own response plans. A radiological accident would be disastrous.

Any concerns regarding the impacts to more beneficial uses, public recreation, natural stream environment, and the public welfare should be brought to the attention of the State Engineer in a protest. For additional information and links: http://www.uraniumwatch.org/transitionpower.htm

If you have any questions, comments, or want to be kept currently informed, please e-mail Uranium Watch at sarah@uraniumwatch.org or call 435-210-0166.

Sincerely,

Sarah Fields

Program Director

Uranium Watch