The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has opened a two-month comment period about Big Canyon near the Little Colorado River.
FERC accepted Tuesday a permit application from Pumped Hydro Storage LLC. Steve Irwin, manager of Pumped Hydro Storage LLC, plans to dam up Big Canyon and drill wells on the floor of the canyon for water in western Navajo Nation.
Irwin proposes to build three large reservoirs on the rim of the canyon in Bodaway, where Big Canyon is located. Local families herd sheep and run cattle in the area.
Irwin’s project also could further threaten both the eco-system and the traditional lifestyle in the area.
The Big Canyon docket number is P-15024-000.
Comments started Tuesday June 2 and end Aug. 3, 2020.
These are ways to send comments to FERC:
You can mail your comments to: Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20426. Be sure to include docket number P- 15024-000.
The FERC online comment also is available at https://ferconline.ferc.gov/FERCOnline.aspx. You must register to use this service.
You can also sign a petition at, www.grandcanyontrust.org/blog/dam-developers-pump-ancient-Little-Colorado-River-waters-profit#