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Energy Development vs Water Quality in the Upper Colorado and Upper Missouri River Basins
This report examines the relationship between energy development and water quality in the Upper Colorado and Upper Missouri River Basins. The location and type of energy resources and present and possible future developments are identified relative to the water resource systems. Impacts from energy developments are discussed in terms of the various pollutants generated by energy extraction and processing activities, and the pollution transport mechanisms and pathways by which they can enter surface and groundwater. The report discusses the implications for energy development of the water quality aspects of legislative requirements and regulations. These include the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments, the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and the Toxic Substances Control Act. Many of the potential water pollution problems associated with energy development will occur through the transport of pollutants from air pollution and solid waste disposal. The consumptive use of all water withdrawn for energy processing as a pollution control measure raises three important issues--each of which represents a potential conflict between energy developers' compliance with the legislation and western water law: (1) junior rights and water transfer, (2) the beneficial use question, and (3) the reasonable use measure of certain water quality practices