In a slick, 10-page brochure distributed inside Moab's The Times- Independent newspaper, the Grand County Citizens for Clean Water claim that neither the developer nor Grand County can ensure that the Cloudrock project will not harm the aquifer that feeds the municipal water system.

It's the latest round in an eight-year battle.

The joint proposal by Leucadia National Corp. and the Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration (SITLA) already has been approved by the Grand County Planning Commission and the County Council. The plans include a 225-room lodge, 150 condominiums and 110 home sites on 1,935 acres of state trust lands on the mesa called Johnsons Up On Top.

But the group that distributed the flyer has put the developers on notice that any groundwater pollution and a subsequent cleanup would be cost prohibitive.

"Should damage occur to the aquifer, it is reasonable for the affected parties to insist that SITLA be responsible for the full cost of mitigation," the brochure states.

The group earlier filed suit in 7th District Court alleging that Grand County's adoption of the Cloudrock development was "arbitrary and capricious."

A SITLA official said Friday the agency is confident that Leucadia's plans have gone "above and beyond" engineering requirements - set by Grand County and Grand Water and Sewer Service Agency - to prevent pollution of the aquifer.

"Based on what we've seen, we don't see any risk in the world of reality," said Associate Director John Andrews.

A Salt Lake City-based attorney representing Leucadia said the four-color brochure was just the latest installment of an ongoing "misinformation campaign" aimed at scuttling an approved development.

"It's NIMBYism - not in my backyard," said Michael Zimmerman. "It is our view that the opponents are fundamentally against any development and have been since the origin of the project" in 2000.

Nonetheless, County Councilwoman Joette Langianese, who is not affiliated with the group of residents, said because of the complexities of the sandstone formations surrounding the aquifer, she continues to have doubts about the safety of the water source.

"There isn't enough information for me to be comfortable with a big development like that on top of our aquifer," she said. "Hopefully, nothing will go wrong."

csmart@sltrib.com

What's next? 7th District Judge Lyle Anderson will hear arguments April 15 at 9 a.m. on whether the group of residents can appeal the Cloudrock proposal to the Grand County Board of Adjustment. Anderson also could rule that the project can go forward.