Draft environmental assessment released for regional reuse pipeline; public comment open

Hurricane — The Conservancy District told the council that the Bureau of Reclamation and Bureau of Land Management published the draft environmental assessment for the Central Washington County reuse project and opened it for public comment. The project would connect the St. George regional water-reclamation facility to local lagoons and the Hurricane Forebay and would support regional pumping and reuse for irrigation and other nonpotable needs.

"The draft EA, the environmental assessment for the Central Washington County reuse project has been issued," the District representative said, adding that the draft and comment channels are public and details were published in the St. George News. He described plans to extend pipeline connections as far as Gunlock and eventually Chief Toker Reservoir and said some lagoon treatment would transition to mechanical treatment like recently completed facilities at Confluence Park.

The conservancy representative said the reuse pipeline would support offsets that could allow more of the river to be reserved for drinking-water sources and that regional pump stations will be required where growth is forecast. He encouraged residents to contact him for links and details for submitting comments during the EA's public-comment period.

Council members asked staff to coordinate the project’s interactions with upcoming planning-commission agendas (Pecan Valley and the Sadd Hollow interchange area) and to remain engaged on interagency agreements and future regional pump-station needs.