What was he thinking when he signed that lengthy decision, our State Engineer? Did he remember we live in the desert? Did he know that in the desert water is life; without water there is only rock and windblown sand, nothing more? Did he know our water makes life possible not only for us but for many others downstream? Did he know our water is over-allocated and is often unpredictable as to amount? Did he know that even when an old irrigation ditch is closed off no crops will be grown on the adjoining field, that the row of cottonwoods will die and no longer grace us with gold every fall?

Did he know how much water the nuclear plant would need just to operate and that creating a holding pool for water because it might be needed later would evaporate quickly with the heat of the desert sun? Did he know that in the early days of settlement, before Utah became Utah, more men were shot over water than over wives or stolen horses? 

Did you know that the USDA has now officially declared that the Moab area is now in stage one of drought, that Green River is in stage two? The drought is progressing from west to east, which would predict that the Green River-Moab area may soon have even greater levels of drought.

Although it may be debatable whether or not we need a nuclear power plant, what is not debatable is that we need our water. What is not debatable is that we do not need a nuclear plant in Green River.

The State Engineer has signed off on what is the first license in a long process – a license to use our water, a lot of it irreplaceable water, water crucial to life here in this magnificent desert. Now is the time to let our voices be heard. The engineer’s decision will not be final for another seven or so days. Now is the time for public outcry. 

—Colleen Smith

Moab