News Release Archive

Reclamation Begins Green River Water Exchange Negotiations with State of Utah

Media Contact: Marlon Duke, (385) 228-4845, mduke@usbr.gov

For Release: October 19, 2017

Photo of Flaming Gorge DamVERNAL, UTAH – The Bureau of Reclamation and State of Utah are initiating negotiations for a water exchange contract, which proposes exchanging the state’s assigned Green River water right for use of Colorado River Storage Project water from Flaming Gorge Dam. The first negotiation meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 30, 2017, at 1:00 p.m. at the Uintah Conference Center, 313 East 200 South, Vernal, UT 84078.

The exchange will provide Utah with a more reliable and certain water supply, while assisting Reclamation in meeting its legal obligations.

All negotiation meetings are open to the public as observers, and the public will have the opportunity to ask questions and offer comments pertaining to the exchange during an open house period immediately prior to formal negotiations and a brief comment period following the negotiation session. The proposed exchange agreement contract and other pertinent documents will be available at the negotiation meeting, or can be obtained on Reclamation’s website at: https://www.usbr.gov/uc/provo/index.html, under “Current Focus.”

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.