WY/CO/UT - American Whitewater has filed a Motion to Intervene in the Regional Watershed Supply Project's Preliminary Permit Application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Joining us in our request to protect the Green River from the project (aka Flaming Gorge Pumpback), is American Rivers and the Colorado River Outfitters Association.

By notice dated October 18, 2011 the Federal Regulatory Commission (Commission) issued its “Notice of Preliminary Permit Application Accepted for Filing And Soliciting Comments, Motions To Intervene, And Competing Applications” for the Regional Watershed Supply Project, P-14263.  The Notice provided 60 days for submission of filings.  Pursuant to 18 C.F.R. § 385.214, American Rivers, American Whitewater, Colorado River Outfitters Association (Conservation and Recreation Groups) hereby move to intervene in this proceeding.

Intervention by AW is in the public interest and we have significant interests in protecting the Green River’s natural, recreational, and economic values.  No other parties to the proceeding will be able to adequately represent our interests and therefore our Conservation and Recreation partners have a direct and substantial interest in the outcome of the process.

As a coalition of Conservation and Recreation Groups, we strongly urge the FERC to reject the project proponent (Wyco’s) preliminary permit application on the grounds that: 1) there is a permanent legal bar to granting a license, 2) Wyco is an unfit applicant 3) allowing a licensing process to move forward with a slight likelihood of success is contrary to the public’s interest.

If FERC elects to approve the preliminary permit application, we request that it impose conditions on the approval and make specific requests for studies under the permit.  The proposed project would almost certainly adversely affect the Green River, a waterway with exceptionally high resource values, including recreational and other non-developmental values.  The proposed project would add to the number of competing uses that already exist on the river, which means that this proceeding will affect a number of interested stakeholders.

A copy of our Motion is on file with FERC.  It can also be downloaded here.