Monday, Dec 10 2012 3:56PM
Initial permits for a new water project in Colorado have been approved.
Officials in Grand County, Colorado, formally approved permits for the Windy Gap Project, which will provide more than 825,000 people with access to
water system services, according to The Associated Press.
The project involves building a new reservoir, as well as infrastructure updates for existing reservoirs to extend access to clean water. The development will involve 10 cities, two rural water districts and a power provider, the AP adds.
Although the permit for the project was approved by county commissioners, another round of approval from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is still required before the project can begin.
Some groups are currently fighting the project, arguing that the environment impact of the updates may not only divert water from the Colorado River, but also threaten aquatic wildlife and deplete the resources.
The use of the Colorado River has led to numerous legal disputes surrounding water rights and resources in recent years. The river basin serves several states, including Wyoming, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and California, which use the water for agricultural and neighborhood purposes.
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The Associated Press