FACT CHECK: Which water expert is Claudia Wright talking to?

Lake Powell Pipeline a plot to send Utah water to Las Vegas?  Really?

In a meeting with the editorial board of the Salt Lake Tribune, Ms. Wright warned that building the Lake Powell Pipeline would aid Las Vegas in grabbing Utah’s water.

That statement has everyone scratching their heads and wondering how she could take a stand on such a major issue based on a bizarre rumor, from unnamed sources.

The headline in the newspaper today:  Specter of water grab puzzling.

Salt Lake Tribune, June 10, reports:

Activists who oppose the Powell pipeline, and the water district that is backing it, say they are not hearing the rumor.

“I wonder if she was confused about which pipeline we’re talking about,” said Kai Reed, administrative director of Citizens for Dixie’s Future, a watchdog group critical of the Powell pipelines, costs and implications for growth in St. George.

The Washington County Water Conservancy District is unaware of any scheme like the one Wright suggested, said Cory Cram, an engineer with the district who is working on the proposal.  “There’s nothing in the works for this project to serve Las Vegas,” he said.  That’s certainly not our plan.  “This water project is to meet our county’s growth needs.”

Her campaign manager said her comment was no mix-up.  “She does understand the difference.”

In fact, she repeated the rumor during a St. George radio interview on Thursday.

Her position is evidence of commenting on issues with no regard for facts or accuracy.  

Matheson’s office suggests if “Ms. Wright wants to be a member of Congress, at the very least she should do her homework and learn the facts.”  

As a former high school history teacher, she’d never accept such a shoddy performance from her students.