Friday, February 29, 2008

Amendment 31? From The Denver Post:: "The Colorado Catholic Conference said it has not endorsed a Colorado ballot measure that would grant personhood and constitutional rights to humans from the moment of conception. The conference, which speaks for the state's three Catholic bishops, issued a statement Thursday contradicting the petitioners -- Colorado for Equal Rights -- which claimed Wednesday that the church's state leaders are on board. Colorado for Equal Rights organizer Keith Mason had issued a statement listing the anti-abortion group's prominent supporters. Mason said Pueblo Bishop Arthur Tafoya, Colorado Springs Bishop Michael Sheridan and Denver Archbishop Charles Chaput had 'personally expressed their support.' Colorado Catholic Conference Executive Director Jennifer Kraska said the statement 'seriously misrepresents' the views of the Catholic bishops regarding the personhood amendment." "denver 2008" 7:28:03 AM

Wastewater news Over in the Grand Valley they're planning to pump sewage to Grand Junction from Whitewater since that's a lower cost solution than building a treatment plant, according to The Grand Junction Free Press. From the article: Sewage flushed in Whitewater will likely eventually flow toward Grand Junction before being treated. Pumping sewage to Grand Junction, rather than building a treatment plant in Whitewater, is the least expensive option, according to figures presented Monday at a meeting of the Mesa County commissioners. In 2006, voters approved forming a public improvement district for sewer service, and that led to three options -- build a sewer in Whitewater or build lines to feed either the Clifton or Persigo sewer plants. Building a sewer treatment plant in Whitewater would cost up to $8 million. Monday, commissioners said they favored pumping the sewage to a line that feeds either the Persigo plant or the Clifton plant. The cost to build a line to Clifton came to $3.5 million, and to Persigo is $2.9 million, said Dean Gordon, engineer with the Glenwood Springs engineering firm Schmeuser Gordon Meyer. The county hired SGM to help sort out the options and costs. Tap fees to build a line to the Clifton sewer ($6,150) or Persigo ($7,000) would also cost less than tap fees for a new plant ($9,000 and $8,150), Gordon said. Monthly service costs would come in at between $20 and $30 for all options. At full build-out, Gordon said, any infrastructure should be able to handle 2 million gallons a day, or the equivalent to what is produced from about 10,000 homes. This first phase is planned to handle 500,000 gallons per day, or 2,500 homes. "We're all under the impression Whitewater will continue to grow," said County Public Works Director Pete Baier. Mesa County Engineer Julie Constan said few Whitewater residents want a sewer plant in Whitewater because of the costs and the ability for a new sewer plant to handle low volumes of sewage. Their preference was to build an outfall line to Clifton. It's difficult to treat such a low volume of sewer, Constan said. From The Pagosa Daily Post: The Town of Pagosa Springs has finally lined up all the grants and loans necessary for its new $4.3 million sewer treatment plant, scheduled to come online within the next two years, ready to accommodate the rapid growth the Town had been experiencing during the past several years. The engineers are finalizing the plant design and expect the project to go out to bid this summer... The big question still remaining: How will the Town pay off the loans? A few years ago, accelerated growth in Archuleta County was making it look like the Town's existing lagoon-style facility -- which has been in place since the 1950s -- was going to exceed its capacity by 2008 or 2009. Then the real estate bubble burst, and the Town saw only new six sewer taps purchased in 2007. They had expected to sell 60. The Town has been hoping that fees from new hookups would be a prime source of revenue for paying off the loans on the new facility. Now it's looking like existing users might have to pay back the lion's share of the loans -- for the first few years at least, until the real estate market gets back on its feet... According to Town Manager Mark Garcia, the old lagoon facility has been struggling for some time to meet Colorado's ever-stricter water quality standards, especially in regards to ammonia release. The Town has received a $750,000 grant from Department of Local Affairs (DOLA), with the remaining financing coming as a $2 million loan from the state water and power authority (at 1.85% interest) and $1 million loan from DOLA (at 5% interest), plus some funds to be used from Town reserves. The new plant will have about twice the capacity of the existing lagoon facility. The Town has hired a consultant to develop a strategy for paying back the $3 million in loans, plus the funds to be taken from reserves -- but so far they do not have that part of the financing picture clarified. Garcia had mentioned, at a Town Council meeting a couple of months ago, that town sewer users might be looking at substantial rate increases if growth continues to be sluggish in within the Town limits. In an interview this week, Garcia confirmed that the Town will likely be looking at "phased rate increases" for existing users... As an interesting side note, when the Town first announced its plans to upgrade its wastewater treatment facility back in April, 2006, the estimated cost was $2.5 million. Two years later, the estimated cost is $4.2 million. It appears that any delays in starting this project could be very expensive, if the cost of construction and plant equipment continue to increase. "colorado water" 6:56:19 AM

Supply news Congratulations to the city of Thornton. They've won an award from the American Public Works Association for the new underground water tank at Hilltop Park, according to YourHub.com. From the article: It's not often a water storage tank wins an award, but the City of Thornton's newest five million gallon water storage tank in Hilltop Park was recently recognized as the best in Colorado for its innovation and achievement. The American Public Works Association named the project the state's Best Accomplishment in Water Treatment/Distribution in the Large Community category. "The reason this project is so different is that it was designed to be buried," says Thornton Senior Civil Engineer James Kaiser. "This feature allows for Hilltop Park to be constructed around the tank with little disruption to the aesthetics of the park site." The tank project provides increased storage capacity for nearby residents, and was built with minimal disruption to area aesthetics. The City was also able to build the tank under budget and on schedule. "We're also proud of the fact that the tank was constructed while providing very limited disruption to surrounding residents," says Kaiser. "One of the reasons it won this award is because the design principles behind it can be used by other municipalities. They can respond to changing water treatment needs, and still preserve an area's aesthetics." From The Cortez Journal: The city of Cortez hopes to close the tap on brown water that has at times flowed from residential and business faucets. On Tuesday evening, city council approved a motion for Denver-based URS Corp. to conduct a preliminary engineering study to determine ways of identifying and remedying the water-color problem at the city's water treatment plant. Cost of the evaluation was estimated at $32,890... The problem stems from dissolved iron and manganese passing through the water plant's membrane filter system, a common occurrence in such systems, Nickerson said. Chlorine added to the water oxidizes the dissolved metals, causing the brown appearance. When the city's water has been discolored, Nickerson has said it is safe to drink despite the murky appearance. An initial review conducted by URS of raw and finish water at the city facility suggested that manganese concentrations exceed normal levels throughout the treatment process. Manganese is a chemical element that is found as a free element in nature -- often in combination with iron -- and in many minerals. Its ions are variously colored and used industrially as pigments and oxidation chemicals. The two-day analysis by URS is likely to take place March 10-11, Nickerson said. Findings should take at least 30 days to reach. From The Crested Butte News: The Crested Butte area is already well known for great skiing and mountain biking, but in a few years paddle boating may also be a recreational staple of the area. Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR) has recently applied to the Gunnison District water court for rights to fill a reservoir in the proposed North Village development for snowmaking, fire suppression, and of course[^]recreational boating. CBMR director of planning and permitting John Sale says the latest plans for the proposed North Village development have not been officially submitted to the town, and may not be until sometime this fall. However, the resort is currently in the process of securing the rights and appropriate permits to construct a reservoir at the North Village site. The North Village site is located just past the Mt. Crested Butte town hall, between Gothic Road and the base of Snodgrass Mountain. In January, CBMR applied to Gunnison Water District No. 4 for a 160 acre foot reservoir, to be called Crescent Lake, at the proposed North Village site. One hundred and sixty acre-feet is approximately 52 million U.S. gallons. CBMR director of real estate and sales Michael Kraatz says in addition to securing the water right to fill and store water in the reservoir, the resort will apply for a permit from the state to construct a dam, as well as an excavation permit from the town of Mt. Crested Butte. Kraatz says the dam would have a maximum height of 72 feet, and the surface area of the reservoir at high water would be 8.7 acres - slightly larger than the resort's main parking lot. Kraatz says the water right application isn't asking to withdraw water in excess of that which is currently used for snowmaking. "We're looking to be able to withdraw the same amount (of water), but to be able to store it. So in low flow years we can make snow without worrying about drying up the (East) River," Kraatz says. Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District manager Frank Kugel says the resort's conditional use permit with the U.S. Forest Service limits the amount of water they can draw for snowmaking in the fall and winter. "The Forest Service feels there is an unnecessary risk to the environmental quality of the East River if the flows drop below a certain point," Kugel says. "colorado water" 6:44:52 AM

Ducks Unlimited purchases South Platte Valley acreage for wetlands Ducks Unlimited has scored some land for wetlands conservation according to The Sterling Journal Advocate. From the article: Ducks Unlimited is providing more habitat to attract migrating and wintering waterfowl to the South Platte River with the purchase of land in northeast Colorado. The property, located southeast of Ovid, boasts exceptional riverbottom habitat, with mature cottonwoods and a large warm-water slough. "The riverbottom and adjacent floodplain on the property are already capable of hosting waterfowl, wild turkey and deer," said Greg Kernohan, program manager for Colorado and Wyoming, "and Ducks Unlimited is excited about the great potential the property offers us to partner with local agricultural producers and water enterprises to move water from the river and create wetlands in the sandhills." Jim and Marilyn Fender sold the property to DU because of their shared goal to see the land continue its tradition in working agriculture, but also to be assured the land will leave a legacy for the area. "Our daughters are thrilled that Ducks Unlimited will own the property," Marilyn Fender said. "They don't have plans to return to the area to farm, but wanted the assurance that the land would be cared for. Ducks Unlimited offered that assurance." More than 100 acres of irrigated corn on the land provides food for wintering ducks and Canada geese that roost on the nearby and historic Johnson's Ponds. Much of the remaining 600 acres rests in the sandhills covered in sage and native grasses... Ducks Unlimited plans to develop recharge wetlands on the property for the benefit of waterfowl. However recharge water from the wetlands can also be used by the State of Colorado as part of the Platte River Recovery Program, an endangered species program that requires Colorado to provide at least 10,000 acre-feet of water to the Central Platte in Nebraska. Recent studies indicate created-wetlands, known as "recharge wetlands," provide exceptional migration and wintering habitat for waterfowl. "In general, the months recharge wetlands are flooded, February, March and April, are times of high use by migrating waterfowl and migrating shorebirds en route to breeding grounds," said Alison Cariveau of the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory. According to Joe Frank, manager of the Lower South Platte Water Conservancy District, much of the water credits gained through recharge wetlands can be made available to local water users through agreements that allow them to pump from wells during the summer. "These credits are valuable to the entire community as our rural economy depends on continued long-term agricultural enterprises," Frank said. "We are very pleased with Ducks Unlimited's vision for the property and its eagerness to work with local interests to provide a winning solution for all."[...] Ducks Unlimited will continue to care for the South Platte River with a renewed commitment to conserve 30,000 acres in the Platte River watershed by 2014. "colorado water" 6:34:56 AM

Twilight for Bonny Reservoir? [SB 08-028] SB 08-028 is dead according to Nebraska TV. From the article: "Colorado State Senator Greg Brophy says he abandoned his bill seeking to drain Bonny Reservoir today to give state officials more flexibility to negotiate with other states in the Republican River compact. At his request, the Senate postponed a vote on the measure until after the end of this year's legislative session, effectively killing the bill. Farmers in northeastern Colorado had asked for the reservoir to be drained because water evaporating from it is being charged against Colorado's share of the river." More Coyote Gulch coverage here and here. "colorado water" 6:22:21 AM

Energy policy: Nuclear U.S. Representative Marilyn Musgrave is urging the Larimer County Commissioners to oppose Powertech's proposed uranium mine in Weld County according to The Greeley Tribune "reg". From the article: Rep. Marilyn Musgrave, R-Fort Morgan, has sent a letter to the Board of Larimer County Commissioners urging it to oppose a proposed uranium mine near Nunn. The letter follows a similar one Musgrave sent the Board of Weld County Commissioners in January asking it to oppose the mine over health and safety concerns. "Like many of my constituents, I am particularly concerned about the impact this mining could have on our groundwater resources in northern Colorado," Musgrave said in a release. Musgrave also said the in-situ -- or "in-place" -- mining method that is being proposed has the "potential to contaminate the underground aquifers that our families, communities and agricultural producers rely upon for clean safe water."[...] The Weld commissioners -- in conjunction with state and federal agencies -- will have ultimate say about if the mine goes in, and Powertech is in the midst of collecting data at the site to present to permitting agencies. More Coyote Gulch coverage here and here. "2008 pres" 6:14:15 AM

7th annual Governors Forum on Colorado Agriculture Here's a recap of Governor Ritter's keynote at the 17th annual Governors Forum on Colorado Agriculture from The Pueblo Chieftain. From the article: Rural economies are tied to water and how it will be used in a "new energy economy," Gov. Bill Ritter said Thursday. Ritter was the keynote speaker at the 17th annual Governors Forum on Colorado Agriculture. Strengthening foreign markets for state agricultural projects, increased production of crops for biofuels, developing more wind power and using farms to help take carbon out of the atmosphere are steps the state will take in the next few years, Ritter said. In the process, the decline of rural communities could be stopped. "We have to understand that agriculture is the fiber of the state," Ritter said. "We're challenged as a state with agriculture as to how we preserve that tradition for our children." Ritter said in a basin like the Arkansas Valley, preserving the water that is available is the key to economic development. He is relying on basin roundtables, set up in 2005, to help provide the answers for how to share water so the state can continue to grow without further harming rural communities by removing agricultural water. "The last thing we need is a fight between the West Slope and the Front Range about diversions," Ritter said. "We need to look at where we can get an infusion of water or where we can store it." Colorado is well positioned to take advantage of renewable energy technologies like wind power, solar power and geothermal power, Ritter said... Ritter also talked about the value of farmland to sequester carbon, believed by some to be an important step in reducing the acceleration of global warming... Ritter also spoke about interstate compacts that have impacted well pumping in the South Platte, Republican and Arkansas river basins, saying the state's new leadership of State Engineer Dick Wolfe and Colorado Water Conservation Board Director Jennifer Gimbel as the first steps in coping with potential cutbacks. "We can have record snowfall and still have some basins that will be dry," Ritter said. "I think we are looking at municipal conservation and reuse ... and how we can still share water with agriculture ... In years like this, we need to look at how we can store more water." "colorado water" 6:01:29 AM

Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel update It looks like U.S. Representative Doug Lamborn and U.S. Representative Mark Udall are ready to shift responsibility for point source pollution up in Leadville from the EPA to Reclamation. The Clean Water Act is pretty clear on the subject. Here's an article about their efforts from The Denver Post. They write: The federal Bureau of Reclamation will take responsibility for the flooded Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel, whether the agency wants to or not, Capitol Hill lawmakers from Colorado said Thursday. Reps. Doug Lamborn, a Colorado Springs Republican, and Mark Udall, an Eldorado Springs Democrat, introduced legislation requiring the bureau to manage the tunnel and prevent future buildups of metals-laden mine runoff. Under the bill, the bureau also must shore up the structure to reduce the risk of collapse. Sen. Ken Salazar, D-Colo., introduced a similar bill. His legislation also would require the Interior Department to study whether the tunnel's water buildup has affected water quality in the Arkansas River... The bureau has said that although it will drain the water in this emergency situation, it does not have the legal authority to do so in the future. At a congressional hearing this week, bureau Commissioner Robert Johnson said the EPA is responsible because the water is part of a Superfund site. "We not only have a physical blockage with the tunnel, we have a legal blockage," Udall said. The agency does not have a position on the bill, said Peter Soeth, a Bureau of Reclamation spokesman. "We are committed to working with EPA and others, as we've already indicated," Soeth said. Fixing the tunnel could take two to three years and cost as much as $5 million, Lamborn said. The legislation authorizes spending the necessary money, although the funds would have to be allocated as part of a separate spending bill. On Wednesday, the EPA began pumping about 150 gallons of water a minute from the flooded Gaw mineshaft in Leadville in hopes that it would reduce the underground pool of water backed up behind the tunnel. So far, the water is clean enough to drain directly into the Arkansas River, according to Carol Campbell, the agency's director of ecosystems protection and remediation. The EPA also plans to drill directly into the Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel over the next few weeks to route the contaminated water around the blockage to an existing water-treatment plant. More coverage from The Rocky Mountain News. From the article: Members of Colorado's congressional delegation introduced bills Thursday to untie bureaucratic knots delaying efforts to drain water backed up behind a collapsed Leadville tunnel. Bills were introduced in both the U.S. House and Senate to direct the Bureau of Reclamation to treat water pumped out of the mine drainage tunnel, and clarify that the agency has the legal authority to do so. "Interestingly enough, not only do we have a physical blockage with the tunnel, we have a legal blockage," said U.S. Rep. Mark Udall, D-Eldorado Springs. He joined with Republican Rep. Doug Lamborn, of Colorado Springs, on legislation designed to do away with questions over legal authority by federal agencies to deal with the problem... While some suggest that the threat has been overstated, politicians of all stripes along with state and local agencies have accelerated efforts to find a solution. U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar, a Democrat, introduced legislation Thursday that, among other things, would authorize $40 million for long-term fixes to the problem. More coverage from The Colorado Springs Gazette. From the article: "This will clearly put the responsibility for cleaning up the backlog of contaminated water, 1 billion gallons of it, with the (U.S.) Bureau of Reclamation," said Lamborn, whose district includes Leadville... "You're darn right we're jumping on the bandwagon," Udall said Thursday. "We don't need study. It's not necessary. We need action." Also on the "bandwagon" was U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar, a Colorado Democrat who introduced similar legislation in the Senate on Thursday. Work began this week to ease pressure on the underground pool. The EPA is pumping 150 to 200 gallons a minute from a shaft in California Gulch, the site of the first gold discovery in Leadville in 1859. The EPA says it could soon pump up to 800 gallons a minute, and tests have shown the water is not contaminated. Officials are discussing other solutions, including drilling new wells into the underground reservoir and clearing blockages in other tunnels to relieve pressure. Leadville is about 100 miles upstream from the Pueblo Reservoir, which provides water for Colorado Springs and numerous other communities. A major release of contaminated mine water could affect human health, aquatic life on the river and municipal water supplies. More Coyote Gulch coverage here and here. "colorado water" 5:52:16 AM

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