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Show Moab water project granted first f yndioc approval from new State bond authority Utah's Governor Scott Matheson Mathe-son told the Times-Independent Tuesday, "I am pleased to announce an-nounce the Water Resources Board has approved the $3.6 million Mill Creek Development Project for funding from the $25 million water bonding package that was recently passed by the legislature.". The announcement heralded the first project earmarked for funding from the $25 million in special water development monies. Ken McDougald, board chairman of the Water Conservancy District, explained that the funding package has come in a slightly different manner than was originally envisioned. envi-sioned. The voters of the county, he said, approved a $1.5 million interest-free loan from the State of Utah, and also authorized the issuance of about $2.5 million in bonds to construct the Mill Creek project. What the Water Resources Board approved on March 3 in Salt Lake City was a consolidation of these two sources of funds into the $3.6 million. "This," McDougald said, "should result in a more attractive interest rate on bonds." According to Gov. Matheson 's Press Assistant Maggie Wilde, the Water Resources Board also approved ap-proved the feasibility report submitted sub-mitted without making changes. The Bureau of Land Management completed the draft environmental impact statement, and the review period on this document is over. Ms. Wilde said, however, the BLM has raised a question regarding regard-ing some Anasazi sites in the area, which, she added, "they don't consider to be a problem." ' It was projected that a special use permit would be issued in about 8 weeks, with construction expected expect-ed to begin late this summer. The Division of Water Resources is n jw in the final design period for the project, according to Ms. Wilde. Regarding design and engineering, engin-eering, McDougald stated that the completion of the Sheley Tunnel, the diversion dam, and pipeline into the reservoir will probably be the first phases of construction, to be started later this summer. The project, broken down into components, includes an off-stream dam and reservoir in upper Spanish Valley; completion of the Sheley Tunnel; diversion dams on Mill Creek and Pack Creek; a canal from the Pack Creek diversion structure to the reservoir; and installation of a gravity pressure sprinkler irrigation irriga-tion system in Spanish Valley. Said McDougald, ' 'One of the real attractions of this water project is the gravity line down through Spanish Valley. It will save the cost of pumping water and is an asset to the project." The completed reservoir will make about 6,000 acre feet of water available annually,' said McDougald, McDoug-ald, to irrigate land already under cultivation and to provide water for development of new acreage. In addition, it provides 1,400 acre feet of additional water for use by Moab City and others. The reservoir will be guaranteed 400 acre feet which have been set aside for recreational uses, including fishing and small craft boating. Ev Schumaker, secretary of the Water Conservancy District, stated that State Senator Omar Bunnell made a special trip to Salt Lake City for the express purpose of joining with the Grand County representatives representa-tives before the Water Resources Board to offer his full support in gaining approval for the project. Next action on the calendar is a meeting Friday morning between the Water Conservancy District and Moab Irrigation Company Boards, with attorneys present. Regarding the meeting with the Irrigation. Company Board, McDougald said, "We hope, from that meeting, to reach an agreement they can submit to their stockholders at a later date for ratification." The agreement sought would set forth the water rights between the two groups, in connection with the state requirements for the Mill Creek Project. |