Those issues and more surfaced this week as dozens of Washington County residents debated the pros and cons of a proposed water pipeline to Lake Powell.

The residents showed up Tuesday night at the Dixie Center in St. George to hear officials talk about plans for the pipeline, which they claim will be needed by 2020 to meet projected water demands.

The pipeline would distribute 100,000 acre-feet of Colorado River water from Lake Powell to water conservancy districts in Washington, Kane and Iron counties.

Larry Millis, deputy director of the state's Division of Water Resources, reported on the status of permits to build and to operate the pipeline and hydroelectric stations planned along the route.

He and consulting engineers said the project's price tag - once pegged at more than $800 million - still is being finalized. He said the state would pay for it and then be reimbursed by the water districts.

The lead agency on whether to approve the project likely will be the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission because of the proposed hydroelectric generation. That agency needs to follow all federal environmental laws and would issue the environmental impact statement for the project.

FERC officials tentatively plan to take public comment June 10-12 in Kanab, St. George and Cedar City, Millis said.

Bob Routsong, who moved to St. George four years ago, worries the water will bring growth and erode the lifestyle he came to enjoy.

"Nine out of 10 people I talk to do not want to see the growth and congestion it brings," he said.

mhavnes@sltrib.com