Developers have pulled plans that would have created two reservoirs upriver from where the Little Colorado and Colorado rivers meet in Grand Canyon National Park.
"A developer has withdrawn two of the three proposals to build a series of hydroelectric dams in the Little Colorado River watershed, projects that had drawn opposition from several tribes and environmentalists," reports Debra Utacia Krol.
"Phoenix-based Pumped Hydro Storage LLC relinquished preliminary permits for the Salt Trail Canyon and Little Colorado River proposals on July 26," Adds Krol. "The company told the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission that 'the study requirements and eventual environmentalist opposition makes investing resources in this project a very high risk.'"
The company left in place permits for a third project in nearby Big Canyon.
The demise of the projects is being hailed as a victory for environmentalists and several local tribes if indigenous people. The Salt Trail Canyon project was proposed on land sacred to the Hopi and Zuni peoples, and within the current boundaries of the Navajo Nation. "The Little Colorado River is also prime habitat for the threatened humpback chub and other species," according to the article.
More details on both of the proposed, and now rescinded, projects are included in the source article.
FULL STORY: Tribes cheer withdrawal of 2 Little Colorado hydropower projects but fear a 3rd
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