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Commission approves response backing district’s Pine Valley water rights and project process
Summary
After a lengthy exchange, the commission voted to approve a draft response criticizing an out‑of‑state advocacy letter opposing the Pine Valley Water Supply Project and to reaffirm the county/district position that adjudicated water rights and settlement processes must be respected.
The Iron County Commission voted to approve a draft response Nov. 24 addressing an opposition letter from Advocacy for Community Environment regarding the Pine Valley Water Supply Project (PVWSP).
Commission discussion examined the history of the water‑rights adjudication and settlement negotiations that underlie the district’s claims. Speaker 3 (commissioner) read portions of the opposition letter that described the project as "outdated, poorly conceived, and ultimately infeasible," warning of hydrologic risk, high costs and adverse downstream impacts. The commission’s response emphasized the multi‑party settlement, state engineer oversight and court‑decreed water rights, noting statutory processes (groundwater management plans) are in place should drawdown or impacts arise.
Paul, who joined the meeting by phone on behalf of district interests, said the district followed settlement processes and invested in hydrologic study and an EIS, urging the commission to support the district’s ability to pursue its adjudicated water rights. After discussion, Commissioner 4 moved and the commission seconded approval of the response letter. The motion passed on a recorded voice vote.
