Senator Mike Lee Seeks to Advance Lake Powell Pipeline with Public Land Sell-Off Amendment
In early May, Representative Celeste Maloy introduced legislation that would have put thousands of acres of BLM land in Utah up for sale to advance the largest new water diversion on the Colorado River. Several key land parcels included in the package would have been transferred to the Washington County Water District, the water agency proposing the $3 billion Lake Powell Pipeline, and some of the lands are directly under the proposed pipeline alignment.
A view of the Colorado River Bridge in Moab, Utah. Senator Mike Lee’s efforts to sell BLM land would transfer federal lands to the Utah water district proposing the Lake Powell Pipeline. Photo: Tyler Lahti
The Lake Powell Pipeline has stalled because of its unpopularity inside and outside of Utah for a litany of concerns. This massive proposed diversion of the Colorado River is completely unnecessary for Utah’s future and its approval would result in less water downstream in the Colorado River Basin and force water cuts inside Utah to existing water users. This public land sell-off opens the door to the project’s revival, endangering water supplies for tens of millions of Americans.
Although Maloy’s amendment was struck from the budget bill before it passed the House, Senator Mike Lee has signaled that he hopes to add the amendment back into the bill while it’s in the Senate. By selling these lands, Lee would effectively pave the way for the Lake Powell Pipeline, so his efforts are a serious threat to water conservation efforts and water users throughout the Colorado River Basin.
To help prevent this from becoming a reality, contact your senator and ask them to oppose Lee’s efforts to sell public lands.