Why should I pay to water the lush green lawns of the unending development in St. George?
As a Salt Lake City resident and a second home owner in Utah, as well, I am clearly paying my fair share of taxes. But helping to pay a $1.8 billion bill for someone’s home in St. George is fiscally irresponsible and I ask that the governor and the Legislature condemn this irresponsible use of taxpayer funds.
According to John Fredell’s Aug. 31 commentary, the Utah Rivers Council’s math is wrong. He admits that the Lake Powell Pipeline will cost upwards of $1.8 billion dollars. At that price, if his math is right, I am outraged.
We in Salt Lake, Mona, Park City, Moab, Brigham City, Laketown, Bountiful and every community from here to Washington County will be paying for water we will never see, never use and never get.
Oh, and we might consider that this project will fundamentally alter the Colorado River water source for all Utahns and everyone downstream forever. Utah’s, Colorado’s, Nevada’s, the Mountain West's water sources are finite.
I am offended that Fredell would call any organization working toward saving the air we breathe, the water we drink, the land that feeds us, an environmental “special interest group.” Clearly, as program director for the Lake Powell Pipeline, he is also a “special interest group.”
I am guessing that his salary and his words are paid for by those who will be making millions at the expense of us poor taxpayers.
Joan Welsh, Salt Lake City
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