I may be new here, as far as most Basiners go, but even newbies can’t miss some vital truths about life in the Uintah Basin.

Here’s one some people might just take for granted. This place doesn’t get much rainfall. It’s a desert, after all. By definition, it’s a dry place.

Here’s the thing about water: We can’t live without it.

Humanity has survived eons without petroleum. Cars are a recent invention. We’ve gone longer still without the Internet or modern communications. Smart phones, iPads and home electronics are all new things.

Those are all wonderful additions to modern life. We think we can’t live without those, but history has proven otherwise. It would be hard, but we’d be fine without those luxuries.

But what happens when people try to live without water? Societies collapse.

That’s it. That’s the end. No water for agriculture, sanitation or even drinking means an inability to live.

That’s why it’s so important for America — and especially states like Utah in the west — to make sure we use water as sparingly as possible and as cleanly as possible.

Unfortunately several projects in the pipeline (excuse the pun) threaten our water.

The first is the “Million Pipeline.”

That project, as reported by the Vernal Express previously, would involve piping water out of Flaming Gorge Reservoir. A Fort Collins, Colo. Developer, Aaron Million, wants to divert 81 billion gallons a year from the Green River and Flaming Gorge.

Local groups such as Trout Unlimited and High Desert Anglers warn of the effects such a project could have.

It would “decimate” one of the most beautiful places in Utah and “compromise every downstream user of water on the Green,” said High Desert Anglers President Jeff Taniguchi in an interview with the Express.

Such a project would affect not only the native fish in the Gorge and Green River, but also all people who rely on a bountiful water supply there for a livelihood.

A second project is the planned Green River Nuclear Reactor.

Recently, State Engineer Kent Jones approved the transfer of a massive amount of water from the Green River to Blue Castle Holdings, a company that wants to build a nuclear power plant on the Green River.

“Pretending there is enough water in the Green River for the power plant is a mistake,” said Bob Quist in a statement. Quist is the owner of Moki Mac River Expeditions, which leads rafting trips on the Green River. “It’s bad for my business and bad for everyone that depends on this river.”

Such a decision to divert water for a nuclear plant would have a detrimental effect on agriculture as well.

“This is going to make it harder for farmers to get the water they need out of the river,” said Tim Vetere, owner of Vetere Farms in Green River in a statement from HEAL Utah, a coalition opposed to the plans. Vetere noted it would be harder to raise his melons, sweet corn, hay and more with a dryer Green River. Also, he worried people would shy away from his produce because of a perceived negative connotation with nuclear energy.

These are two startling plans that may well have a negative impact on all Utahns. They serve as harsh reminders that of all the resources we have here, water is the most precious, and must be guarded the most fiercely. It’s a fight we all have a stake in.