American Rivers and O.A.R.S. Spread Awareness of Endangered Green River

American Rivers named the Green River, the largest tributary of the Colorado River, among American's Most Endangered Rivers, shedding light on a water pipeline proposal that has the potential to harm the river and its dependents. O.A.R.S. has joined American Rivers in opposition of the project.

The proposed building of a 500-mile long “Flaming Gorge Pipeline” that would send water from the Green River and Flaming Gorge Reservoir in Wyoming to Colorado's Front Range would divert 250,000 acre feet of water annually. According to O.A.R.S. and American Rivers, the project would injure the thriving recreation and tourism economy, rural agriculture, native species and urban water use downstream.

“The Green River below Flaming Gorge Reservoir offers a family-friendly stretch of whitewater and world-class fishing through a series of beautiful desert canyons,” says O.A.R.S. Spokesperson Steve Markle. “The pleasant nature of the Green and its proximity to Salt Lake City make it an easily accessible river for first-timers of all ages and abilities and its waters need to be protected for future generations.”