The Watch Newspapers - by Karen James
TELLURIDE – Three conservation groups and two government agencies have filed statements of opposition against water right permit applications filed by Energy Fuels Resources Corp., which is seeking to build the nation’s first uranium mill in nearly three decades in Paradox Valley. Read more
Aspen Times / Associated Press
The board acquired 5.45 cubic feet per second of water to increase flows in the Washington Gulch and Slate River. Demands for irrigation water often dry up or deplete flows in the two by mid-July. Read more
Hobbs' slide show featured pictures of canals at Machu Picchu and the work of an archaeological crew that excavated the water collection systems that were found at Mesa Verde National Park. Moving to the state's modern history, Hobbs noted that Hispanic settlers in San Luis, borrowing on centuries-old traditions from southern Spain, carved out the first irrigation ditch recognized by the state's courts with an 1852 priority date. Read more
From Ducks Unlimited
WASHINGTON – Feb. 9, 2010 – A new report highlights threats to Colorado's waters and wetlands under regulatory guidance resulting from two Supreme Court cases. Compiled by the National Wildlife Federation, Ducks Unlimited and Trout Unlimited, the report identifies five cases where the loss of Clean Water Act (CWA) protections has put Colorado waters at risk for pollution, unrestricted drainage and destruction. Read more
By DP Opinion The Obama administration has proposed increasing the amount of funding available for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, a 45-year-old program that has protected wildlife habitat and provided recreational opportunities in national parks, national forests, and national wildlife refuges across the country.
Instead of using taxpayers’ money, LWCF protects federal lands and provides grants to communities for local parks and trails using a small portion of royalties paid by companies conducting offshore drilling. This common-sense approach to land conservation benefits anglers and hunters because conservation creates opportunity. The opportunity to hunt, fish, hike, bike and ski in these wild places is increasingly at risk from an array of land-use threats, and must be protected as a part of our national heritage.
It simply makes sense to use funds generated from natural resources extraction to invest back in America’s natural places — protecting and promoting another kind of resource, open space and clean water, that benefits each of us.
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, Sen. Mark Udall, and other advocates for LWCF in Congress and the administration are on the right track to see that we meet our responsibility to protect America’s great outdoors for future generations.
Sinjin Eberle, Vice President, Colorado Trout Unlimited, Denver
Re: "Flaming Gorge pipeline users lining up," Jan. 15 Chieftain. It's a stretch for developer Aaron Million to try to sell his grandiose pipeline dream as an "environmental" project that will benefit Colorado's overtapped rivers. It's a promise that, like many of his claims, has yet to be firmed up. What is certain is that the pipeline would draw down Flaming Gorge reservoir levels and risk a host of potential environmental problems, from invasive species and water quality decline in the Green River's famous fishing waters to degraded wildlife habitat all along the 560-mile route.
Moreover, this project is also lining up fierce opposition all along its route, from towns, communities and Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal who rightly worry about the environmental and economic costs of this boondoggle in the making.
Front Range communities should first consider simpler, less costly measures to meet our region's water needs, such as conservation, aquifer recharge and leasing. What's needed most is comprehensive regional water planning, not pie-in-the-sky schemes.
Drew Peternell, director
Colorado Water Project
Trout Unlimited
http://www.chieftain.com/articles/2010/01/24/editorial/doc4b5b971364daf581933349.txt
Pueblo Chieftain By SAL PACE STATE REPRESENTATIVE
When water leaves a community so does the opportunity to attract companies, build homes, draw business or grow crops. When water leaves a community, so does a community’s future opportunity for prosperity. We’re facing tough economic times, but we need to ensure that when we rebound, that we rebound together as an entire state — urban and rural.
That is why I am running House Bill 1159 to require that mitigation plans must be a part of any large transfer of water from one part of the state to another — specifically from one river basin to another. When a farm shuts down operations, the tractor repairman or the fertilizer salesperson will soon close their doors. Under current Colorado water law, there is no legal consideration for the permanent loss to the economy that is felt when water is transferred permanently out of a community.
http://www.chieftain.com/articles/2010/01/31/editorial/doc4b64e1d9f0bc8388687208.txt
