Lake Powell Pipeline discussion at next Dixie Forum

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ST. GEORGE — Representatives from the Washington County Water Conservancy District and Conserve Southwest Utah will discuss the pros and cons of the proposed Lake Powell Pipeline at the next installment of Dixie State University’s weekly lecture series Dixie Forum: A Window on the World.

Ronald Thompson, general manager of the water conservancy district, and Tom Butine, board president for Conserve Southwest Utah, will present their points of view on the proposed pipeline from noon to 12:50 p.m. on March 27. The lecture will take place in the Dunford Auditorium, located in the Browning Resource Center on the Dixie State campus. Admission is free, and the public is encouraged to attend.

Part of the proposed long-term water supply plan for Southern Utah, the Lake Powell Pipeline, if implemented, will transport water from Lake Powell to Washington and Kane counties to accommodate population growth. The Dixie Forum presentation will discuss the need — or lack thereof — for the pipeline, the regulatory process for approval and construction, cost, residents’ input, conservation efforts, disputed facts and allocations.

Following their prepared presentations, the representatives of both perspectives will have the opportunity to respond to pre-submitted questions from the public. Residents interested in submitting questions may email their inquiries to [email protected]. ​

Ronald Thompson

As the Washington County Water Conservancy District’s general manager, Thompson oversees all operational and financial activities performed by the district and its employees. He is a member of the Utah State Bar and serves on the boards of the Utah Water Finance Agency, Colorado River Water Users Association, National Water Resources Association, Utah Water Development Commission, St. George Washington Canal Company and St. George Valley Irrigation Company. Thompson received his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Brigham Young University and his law degree from the University of Utah.

Tom Butine

As a board member for the nonprofit Conserve Southwest Utah, Butine strives to use his love of nature, interest in environmental and energy policy and background in science, engineering and management to make a difference in how residents treat the land, water and air. He earned an executive Master of Business Administration in finance and held several management positions in research and development, concentrating on the architecture of airplane systems, design integration and airplane safety certification.

Dixie Forum

Dixie Forum is a weekly lecture series designed to introduce the St. George and Dixie State communities to diverse ideas and personalities while widening their worldviews via a 50-minute presentation.

For its next installment April 3, Dixie Forum will host Taylor Jenkins Reid and the Dixie State University English Department.

For more information about the series click here or contact Dixie Forum coordinator John Burns at 435-879-4712 or [email protected].

Event details

  • What: Dixie Forum discussion by Ronald Thompson and Tom Butine regarding the Lake Powell Pipeline.
  • When: Tuesday, March 27, at noon.
  • Where: Dunford Auditorium, located inside the Browning Resource Center on the Dixie State University campus.
  • Details: Free and open to the public.

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @STGnews

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2018, all rights reserved.

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4 Comments

  • comments March 25, 2018 at 12:37 pm

    open wide! you people are gonna get Ron Thompson’s big pipe shoved down your throats whether you like it or not. The funniest part of it is that you’ll all be paying to get yourselves screwed-over big time. This is ol’ Ron’s legacy project and he’s never gonna let it go, and all his cronies are gonna make bank $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. You people can stomp your little feet, and pout and cry and protest all you like. YOU PEOPLE ARE GETTIN’ THE PIPE!

  • Not_So_Much March 25, 2018 at 5:20 pm

    Sad, really sad.

  • utahdiablo March 25, 2018 at 9:01 pm

    Yes Sir, Ol’ Ronnie will be laughing his butt off in retirement at all the “Little People” who tried to kill his Pet Project…so go to the meting or don’t ….either way your all getting the pipe, and double property tax and 300% increase on your monthly water bill….whoo baby. fun times ahead….ah heck, just go to the new “splash city” water park to drown your sorrows

  • Redbud March 26, 2018 at 8:52 pm

    St George, all the previous comments made are correct. Get ready to bend WAY over, and take this giant pipeline being shoved DEEP, DEEP inside, right down your throat. You will enjoy an ever increasing water bill and taxes. Welcome everyone who moves here. If you reach a point where you can no longer afford to live in St. George, step aside before you literally get walked on by those who can! Oppose the pipeline all you want, it WILL get built, you will just be helping add fuel to the fire and help expedite its construction!

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