March 25, 2008--Conservation district: There's less water than feds think for oil shale (Grand Junction Daily Sentinel)
The federal government may be too confident in its assumption that there’s enough water to accommodate oil shale development, the Colorado River Water Conservation District believes. The Glenwood Springs-based district has submitted comments to the BLM about its draft study on oil shale development. The district questions the BLM’s conclusion that the interstate compact governing use of Colorado River water would provide ample water for oil shale projects. “Considering vagaries of climate and climate change and full use of existing water supply and delivery systems, that may not be the case,” the district said. The district also raises concerns about existing agricultural and instream flow uses being converted to oil shale uses if energy companies take advantage of their existing conditional water rights.
To view the full article, visit the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel. For a copy of the original article contact the WIP at (970) 247-1302 or stop by the office at 841 East Second Avenue in Durango.