A proposal for a giant water project which at one time was called "The Big Straw," and that would siphon large amounts of water from Flaming Gorge Reservoir for piping to the Front Range, will be opposed by the Board of County Commissioners.

Following a discussion of the now-named "Flaming Gorge pumpback proposal" at their regular meeting Jan. 23, the commissioners directed staff to draft a letter opposing the idea.

The letter is scheduled for consideration at the BoCC Feb. 6 meeting.

Commission Chair Olen Lund said after studying the plan that it would have adverse effects on local agricultural water users, and that it would weaken the state's position in the multi-state Colorado River Compact.

Commissioner Doug Atchley said that by taking water from Flaming Gorge and diverting it trans-basin to the Front Range, the plan would decrease the amount of water being delivered from Colorado to downstream states. "That water would have to be made up from somewhere else," Atchley said. It could be taken from agricultural uses.

Commissioner Bruce Hovde said, "I don't have a problem opposing this idea."

The commissioners heard a presentation by Becky Raney, a "concerned citizen" who said she has family ties to Delta County agriculture. She urged the board to oppose the proposal.

In expressing its opposition to the pumpback plan, the Delta commissioners join a long list of local governments, water agencies, and advocacy groups who have also taken stands against it.

In December, the Colorado River District went on record opposing the plan. "The volume of water at issue would adversely impact existing users of Colorado's entitlement to the waters of the Colorado River, and could usurp the remainder of the state's cCompact allocation," said a river district statement.