Saturday, June 21, 2008

New irrigation rules for the Arkansas Valley? State Engineer Dick Wolfe has appointed a committee to look into changes in consumptive use for irrigation in the Arkansas Valley, according to The Pueblo Chieftain. From the article: A committee has been appointed to look at potential changes in consumptive use caused by efficiency improvements to surface water irrigation in the Arkansas Valley. State Engineer Dick Wolfe announced the appointments Friday. The issue flared up late last year when surface irrigation efficiency rules were discussed by Water Division 2 Engineer Steve Witte. Witte said that improvements like sprinklers, drip irrigation, gated pipe and ditch lining could increase consumptive use by allowing more acres to be watered more often. This could violate the Arkansas River Compact, as well as deprive downstream users in Colorado of historical return flows from irrigation runoff. Farmers countered that such improvements do not always increase consumptive use because of system losses from holding ponds, changes in irrigation scheduling and limitations on when sprinklers can be used. Municipal, industrial and non-structural agricultural improvements would not be covered by the rules. The rules would apply only to the Arkansas Valley. Both the Lower Arkansas Valley and Upper Arkansas water conservancy districts expressed concern, along with soil conservation districts throughout the valley. State officials made several presentations throughout the valley, including to the Arkansas Basin Roundtable in April. Wolfe said committee members will be consulted in the development of rules and regulations concerning improvements to surface water irrigation systems in the Arkansas River Basin... Click through for the list of committee members. More Coyote Gulch coverage here. "colorado water" 7:42:28 AM

Whitewater park for San Miguel County? Here's an update on the proposed whitewater park for the San Miguel River, from The Telluride Watch. They write: The San Miguel Whitewater Association's attempt to build a whitewater park somewhere on the San Miguel River continues to move forward despite setbacks at three sites, to date. The SMWA's goal is to build a whitewater park in several different locations where kayakers can surf holes created by manmade obstacles in the river. The organization first looked to build one at Down Valley Park, but San Miguel County Commissioners recommended they look elsewhere at a meeting last March. Next up: The Bureau of Land Management-owned Caddis Flats, just downstream from the Highway 145/Highway 62 intersection near Placerville. But that site has been taken off the table because the BLM cannot approve a public whitewater park on public land... At Wednesday's San Miguel County Commissioner's meeting in Telluride, SMWA representative Cari Mackey had two proposals: Construct a whitewater park at the former Canyon Chapel site (approximately three miles upstream of Norwood Bridge), which is for sale, which was a no-go. She next proposed that a whitewater park be built at the confluence of the South Fork of the San Miguel, near the gravel pits on Ilium Road... With the Canyon Chapel no longer an option, Mackey looked toward the South Fork confluence site. "The other location, which we think is a great idea is the confluence by Telluride Gravel," Mackey said. "I have heard they have to fix the river up, and if they intend to, we could help design that and make the river corridor look really nice." Although it was unclear as to who owns the parcel of river near the confluence by the end of Wednesday's meeting, that site, it seemed, is the last great hope for a whitewater park... But even if SMWA finds a viable location, the approval process for a whitewater park will be no simple task. Funding for the park has not yet been found, and some, including the County Open Space Commission Chair Joe Reagan, are skeptical of the project. "Any time you take an area that is presently passive open space and is converted to active open space, it will have positive and negative consequences," Reagan said at Wednesday's meeting. "It has to be carefully looked at. Someone asked me if this whitewater park is a high open-space priority. It is a very low priority." Ashley Boling, the executive director of the Telluride Institute, which strives to educate citizens to be good stewards of natural resources, delivered a power-point presentation. Boling, using data from a variety of sources including the Colorado Division of Wildlife and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, brought up several key issues that he said must be addresses if a whitewater park on the San Miguel River is going to work. With the exception of one diversion in Norwood Canyon, Boling stressed, there are no manmade river diversions currently on the San Miguel; creating a whitewater park, he said, could influence sedimentation, fish migrations and flood levels. More Coyote Gulch coverage here. "colorado water" 7:33:13 AM

Energy policy: Hydroelectric Hydroelectric generation is making a comeback as a clean source of power. Here's a report on the re-licensing work for the Ouray Hydroelectric Plant, from The Hub. From the article: Officials with the Federal Energy Regulating Commission (FERC) were in Ouray this week to collect public comment regarding a license renewal application for the Ouray Hydroelectric Plant. Council and city staff spoke in unanimous support of the hydroelectric plant, which dates back to the 1880s, at a scoping meeting Monday night. "We are very fortunate to have in Ouray one of four oldest operating power plants in the world," said Mayor Bob Risch. "I can't imagine anybody not being in support of it. There are no environmental issues. Obviously fish can't live in the acidic headwaters of the Uncompahgre River; let's make hydroelectricity." Eric Jacobsen, who owns the power plant, was pleased with outcome of the week's proceedings, which also included a site visit by FERC officials and a power-point presentation by Ouray Ice Park board president Erin Eddy, regarding the history of the Ice Park its successful collaboration with Jacobsen, who allows the park to utilize property associated with the hydro plant for ice climbing. "Things went very well," Jacobsen said. "All of the comments were positive. I didn't know people liked it so much. Comments spoke to the plant's importance to history, green power, and as a recreation base."[...] If FERC relicensing proceedings stay on track, an environmental assessment will be completed by mid-2009, after which the commission licensing decision will be made; the hydroelectric plant's current license expires on April 12, 2010. Public comments submitted at this week's hearings will be posted on FERC's website within a week. Risch said this week he envisions a day in the near future when Ouray can be sustained by electricity generated by the hydro-plant. "We're pretty close now," he said. "With a small amount of conservation, we can live on our own power, at least during the summer when the water level is higher." A large front-range utility contracts with Jacobsen for the first 500 kW of power produced by the plant. The remainder of the approximate 820 kW generated are purchased by San Miguel Power Association, which in turn powers Ouray. "2008 pres" 7:24:30 AM

Gunnison/Dolores Watershed Tour From The Delta County Independent: "The San Miguel Conservation District is hosting the annual Gunnison/Dolores Watershed Tour this year on July 10. The San Miguel, Shavano, Gunnison and Delta Conservation Districts make up the Gunnison/Dolores Watershed. The tour presents the opportunity to showcase current conservation activities by each district. The tour begins at 10 a.m. at the Naturita Community Center where an overview of each conservation district will be presented. After lunch, a tour of a local conservation practice and a burn rehabilitation will be seen. To RSVP contact the San Miguel Conservation District at 970-327-4885." "colorado water" 7:16:20 AM

Proposed measurement rules for the Republican River Basin From The Holyoke Enterprise: "The State of Colorado, Division of Water Resources announces a public meeting regarding the proposed measurement rules for the Republican River Basin to be held Tuesday, June 24 at 10 a.m. at the Wray Rehabilitation and Activities Center, 700 S. Main Street, Wray. The purpose of this public meeting is to solicit any final comments or questions prior to the formal hearing for the measurement rules scheduled for July 2-3. A copy of the most recent draft is provided at the following website: www.water.state.co.us/wateradmin/republicanriver/republicanriverrules.asp. Those who are not able to access the internet should contact Kathryn Radke of the Division of Water Resources for other options at 303-866-3581." Also from The Holyoke Enterprise: "The Colorado Division of Water Resources announces that a hearing will be held at the Ambulance Barn in Wray, Colorado (304 W. 3rd Ave.) on July 2, 2008, beginning at 9 a.m., to consider adoption of rules and regulations that will govern the measurement of wells in the Republican River Basin. These rules will be applicable to all high-capacity wells within the Basin. Wells that are permitted for small capacity type uses (50 gallons per minute or less, domestic type uses, livestock uses) are exempt from these rules. The hearing will be before the State Engineer's Hearing Officer, Joseph (Jody) Grantham. The public is encouraged to attend. Time will be allotted for all interested persons or parties who wish to make any short comments concerning the proposed rules. Testimony and exhibits will be accepted by those parties who filed for formal party status, and written comments by interested persons or parties will also be accepted for consideration. The Hearing Officer will then take the rules under advisement to decide whether or not to adopt the rules. The procedures governing the hearing can be viewed at www.water.state.co.us/pubs/rule_reg/procreg.pdf.">from The Holyoke Enterprise: "The Colorado Division of Water Resources announces that a hearing will be held at the Ambulance Barn in Wray, Colorado (304 W. 3rd Ave.) on July 2, 2008, beginning at 9 a.m., to consider adoption of rules and regulations that will govern the measurement of wells in the Republican River Basin. These rules will be applicable to all high-capacity wells within the Basin. Wells that are permitted for small capacity type uses (50 gallons per minute or less, domestic type uses, livestock uses) are exempt from these rules. The hearing will be before the State Engineer's Hearing Officer, Joseph (Jody) Grantham. The public is encouraged to attend. Time will be allotted for all interested persons or parties who wish to make any short comments concerning the proposed rules. Testimony and exhibits will be accepted by those parties who filed for formal party status, and written comments by interested persons or parties will also be accepted for consideration. The Hearing Officer will then take the rules under advisement to decide whether or not to adopt the rules. The procedures governing the hearing can be viewed at www.water.state.co.us/pubs/rule_reg/procreg.pdf." "colorado water" 7:09:40 AM

Colorado Springs Utilities looking for revenue, cutting costs Here's a look at Colorado Springs Utilities' plans to deal with their growing revenue shortfall, from The Colorado Springs Gazette. From the article: Colorado Springs Utilities will slash $37.2 million in spending and propose a $20 million water rate hike to offset a projected revenue shortfall this year brought on by the sour economy. Most of the cuts would affect operations and maintenance, including deferred vehicle and equipment purchases, delayed upkeep on facilities such as dams and electric distribution systems, cuts in spending promoting conservation, improvements to fire hydrants and staff travel. Some work crews will switch to four 10-hour days to save fuel. Jobs aren't under the ax, although the city-owned agency this year won't fill 75 percent of the roughly 100 positions that are open. Utilities already eliminated 82 jobs this year and in 2007 in a reduction that targets 200 jobs over five years. Some Springs City Council members, who serve as the Utilities Board, voiced support for modifying Utilities pay-for-performance program, which this year paid workers nearly $10 million in extra pay for their 2007 job performance... The cuts were triggered by drops in water sales of $6.4 million, $23.1 million in revenues from development fees, $6.2 million for line extension reimbursements and $8.9 million being refunded to electricity customers. It's unclear how much the water rate increase will cost the typical residential customer. Utilities officials will propose a hike in July to cover the loss in development fees, or about $20 million. A public hearing will be held in August, meaning the rate increase likely will become effective before summer ends. The last time water rates went up was in 2007. A rate hike is assured, city officials said, because without one Utilities' financial condition would deteriorate, pushing borrowing rates up, which could cost the city tens of millions of dollars in interest for years to come... Councilman Scott Hente warned of a "death spiral" that could emerge as rates go higher and people use even less water. Forte said managers are watching revenue and expenses monthly, a switch from the past when a budget was based on forecasts made 10 months before budget approval, which led to the current crisis... The water division isn't the only service looking to raise rates. Although no details were discussed, utilities officials on Wednesday also outlined projected increases in utilities' commodities, including coal, gas, gasoline and diesel fuel, copper, aluminum and steel. Transformer prices have nearly tripled in the past four years. Coal prices are projected to double or triple in the next seven years as the city's coal contracts expire and new prices are negotiated. Utilities' cost of generating electricity is expected to double in eight years. The reason is increased competition from China, India and other developing countries that demand more commodities to power their economies, Forte said. "colorado water" 7:02:24 AM

Energy policy: Geothermal From The Denver Post: "Geothermal energy prospectors' plans to develop vast swaths of federal land in the West are due for a boost, part of Congress' effort to help feed the region's rapacious appetite for energy. The Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service plan 13 meetings next month in 11 Western states and Alaska to gather public comment on a newly released environmental impact statement that, when completed, will open millions of acres to companies aiming to tap naturally superheated subterranean steam and water to power turbines or warm buildings...The public hearings are set for July 8 in Anchorage; July 9 in Fairbanks; July 14 in Reno, Nev.; July 15 in Salt Lake City; July 16 in Tucson, Ariz.; July 17 in Cheyenne, Wyo.; July 21 in Boise; July 22 in Albuquerque, N.M.; July 23 in Helena, Mont.; July 24 in Denver; July 28 in Seattle; July 29 in Portland, Ore.; and July 30 in Sacramento, Calif." More Coyote Gulch coverage here. 6:51:04 AM

Wellington: Produced water Here's a report about Richard Seaworth and oil producer Brad Pomeroy's recovery operation for produced water from the Wellington Oil Field, from The Northern Colorado Business Report. From the article: When farmer Richard Seaworth and oil producer Brad Pomeroy began swapping stories about their business challenges several years ago, they discovered what they had in common: water. Seaworth needed water to build houses on part of his land, while Pomeroy was spending money returning wastewater from oil production to the ground. Pomeroy noted that of every 100 barrels pumped from a rig in the Wellington oil field on and near Seaworth's property, about 98 barrels are water and only two barrels are oil. "I had to figure out a way to get rid of all this (waste) water and disposal wells are expensive," he said. "When Brad and I got together, his problem was to get rid of the water and I was trying to build some houses but the county denied me because no water was available," Seaworth said. "That's kind of how the whole thing started." That began a six-year, multimillion-dollar effort to gain state approval to put purified water from the oil wells to beneficial use. Crop irrigation, dairy and beef production, domestic water for development, augmentation of Wellington's water supply as well as several potential commercial ventures are among the possibilities that now exist thanks to the approval finally received in March. Seaworth said the state water court found the oil field water is coming from an isolated underground geologic formation not in contact with a tributary source that could impact other water rights holders. "We can use the water for almost anything," he said. "It's brand-new water to the region, and non-tributary water can be used to extinction. Our plan is to store the water under ground and we can pump it up for irrigation or whatever." Seaworth said the $1.5 million purification process is producing about 70 gallons of warm water each minute, with more than 12 million gallons produced since it started. Seaworth said he's not sure exactly how he'll use the water, although his main objective is to build houses on part of his 600-acre property. The town of Wellington is also hoping to acquire some of Seaworth's water for its own development needs... Seaworth said the water purification process is making it possible to revive old oil wells that had been shut down because the cost of re-injecting the water into the ground was prohibitive. While Pomeroy acknowledges the operation has helped squeeze more oil out of some aging wells, he says it's not likely to have a major impact on oil production statewide. "It's an expensive proposition and it's taken us several years and lots of money to get to here and I'm not sure many other companies would want to," he said. But Wolfe said the project presents some tantalizing possibilities. "I think there's a real opportunity over the next 20 to 40 years with the recognition that this water can be used and the technology that's cost-effective now," he said. "I think you'll see a lot of interest in doing that, at least in the short-term." More Coyote Gulch coverage here. "colorado water" 6:42:33 AM

'Rock Snot' and other unwelcome species Here's a reminder to fisherman and boaters to be careful not to spread didymo and other pests by using common sense and cleaning equipment, from The Vail Daily. From the article: Didymosphenia geminata is the scientific name for a very nasty algae that's becoming a problem in Gore Creek and other waterways in Eagle County. It's called didymo, for short, or is known as "rock snot" to others. It looks sort of like gooey masses of wet tissue paper. The stuff is spread unknowingly by fisherman and boaters traveling from one body of water to another. What does it do? Aside from looking pretty gross and making it difficult to fish, it disrupts the food chain. Its presence effects how insects live in the water, which throws everything else out of whack. Didymo is one of a handful of bothersome, unwelcome species that could have a profound effect on our ecosystem if we're not careful, says Brian Healy, a biologist with the U.S. Forest Service. The other problem species are chytrid fungus, whirling disease, zebra mussels and New Zealand mud snails. Each of these has already been found in Colorado, and could easily be spread here, inadvertently, by hitching a ride on fishing and boating equipment. Each of these species, like didymo, have a way of throwing off food chains, and that's the main concern. When food chains are thrown off, everything else suffers, Healy said. More Coyote Gulch coverage here, here and here. "colorado water" 6:30:36 AM

Runoff Runoff continues but Colorado pretty much dodged a bullet this year with respect to flooding. Here's a report about the San Luis Valley from The Valley Courier. They write: Flooding worries seem to be over for this year according to Colorado Division of Water Resources Division 3 Division Engineer Michael Sullivan. He said on Thursday the river systems in the San Luis Valley are still experiencing healthy flows but due to winds and hot and cold spells the flooding that was feared earlier in the year did not occur. "We were very lucky with this cold snap," Sullivan said. When temperatures plummeted on May 27 the flow of water did the same. "That cold snap dropped the river very hard and it took awhile to come back up." Sullivan said the weather has not been helpful for the crops in that it delayed growth but on the positive side the weather has kept the rivers in check and prevented flooding this year... The Rio Grande is currently running about 4,300 cubic feet per second (cfs) which is a good rate for this time of year, Sullivan said. "We can divert 4,500 cfs fairly well. What that means we are having to carry some through the system but there's a lot of water getting out into the farm ground." Sullivan said during the month of June the Rio Grande has indexed an average of about 8,000 acre feet per day. "Into late June we have got good water coming into the system," he said... Sullivan said he has adjusted downward both the annual predicted river flows for the Rio Grande and Conejos River systems as well as the curtailments on both systems. The first part of April the annual projected index for the Rio Grande was 935,000 acre feet and for the Conejos River system was 540,000 acre feet. By mid-June Sullivan was looking at 755,000 acre feet annual index for the Rio Grande and 425,000 acre feet for the Conejos system... Sullivan said a good amount of water sublimated from the snowpack this year and that is not going to show up in the river systems. He explained that the snowpack had the water, but the Valley has not experienced normal precipitation and that compounded with wind and dry conditions diminished the moisture the Valley would normally have experienced. As the annual prediction decreased the state's obligation to downstream states through the Rio Grande Compact also decreased. Sullivan said of the 755,000 acre feet now estimated for the Rio Grande for the year, 231,800 acre feet will have to be delivered to downstream states. Sullivan decreased the curtailment on Rio Grande water users down to 13 percent. Sullivan's office also decreased the curtailment on the water users in the Conejos River system, but that system's curtailment is still higher than the Rio Grande because of the way the Compact was set up. Of the 425,000 acre feet now expected this year from the Conejos River and associated rivers in that system, 210,000 acre feet or nearly half will be obligated to downstream states. Water users in the Conejos system began the irrigation season with 52 percent curtailments but because of the adjusted forecast Sullivan reduced the curtailment to 36 percent. "colorado water" 6:18:32 AM

Rio Grande Watershed Water Fest Here's a recap of the Rio Grande Water Fest held yesterday, from The Valley Courier. From the article: Kids soaked up information about water conservation during the third annual Rio Grande Watershed Water Fest yesterday. The Water Fest strives to educate youth about conservation so they can begin to build an understanding of water issues at an early age. Students from all over the Valley attended the fest. Over 280 kids gathered in Cole Park to explore and celebrate conservation. Six schools brought students, Antonito, Sierra Grande, Alamosa, Center, Crestone and Centennial, to learn about water and conservation of other natural resources. Kids from the community also attended. The Water Fest was sponsored by the Rio Grande Watershed Association of Conservation Districts... Kids spent the morning participating in various conservation activities. Stations were set up by different organizations to give the kids a chance to get their feet wet in several elements of conservation. Kids learned about everything from microinvertebrates to noxious weeds. Participating groups included the Division of Water Resources, Great Sand Dunes, Center Conservation District, CSU Extension, Colorado State Forest Service and National Resource Conservation Service. "colorado water" 6:11:07 AM

Southern Delivery System: Environmental groups blast SDEIS Environmental groups have a lot to say about Reclamation's draft environmental impact statement for Colorado Springs' proposed Southern Delivery System but not much is positive, according to The Pueblo Chieftain. From the article: Environmental groups say more alternatives and better data are needed in the Bureau of Reclamation's evaluation of the Southern Delivery System. They also make a pitch for including alternative energy technologies in the evaluation to lower the amount of carbon emissions generated by pumping water uphill. "In sum, the range of the alternatives is far too narrow; there is little difference between the various alternatives; and the cost-screening criteria is too restrictive," wrote Becky Long, water caucus coordinator for the Colorado Environmental Coalition in comments on Reclamation's draft environmental impact statement for SDS. "A true comparison of a variety of alternatives would have made this draft EIS more useful, and would be more consistent with the National Environmental Policy Act." Groups signing on to the letter include Western Resource Advocates, Environment Colorado, Sierra Club, National Clean Water Action, High Country Citizen's Alliance and the Rocky Mountain Environmental Labor Coalition. They say they represent thousands of people in the state. The comments from the group reflect a dissatisfaction with the draft EIS that was a major theme when many of its members gave oral comments to Reclamation on May 29. The main criticism is that the purpose and need statement entirely centers on the needs of the applicants - Colorado Springs, Fountain, Security and Pueblo West - and is "too constrictive." "The revised purpose and need statement is so narrowly constrained that the draft EIS omits from consideration any project alternatives that do not include perfection of Arkansas River basin water rights," the group's letter states. "The purpose and need statement reduces the scope of the SDS alternatives analysis to those alternatives that are simply desirable from the standpoint of the participants." Left out of the report are water conservation, water reuse, land-use planning strategies and other mechanisms to deliver water, the letter states... The coalition asks for a broader statement of purpose and need, comparison of alternatives to existing conditions rather than the "no-action" alternative, a broader range of alternatives, better cost-screening criteria (especially for re-use) and a complete analysis of cumulative impacts. The group also says energy costs for all of the alternatives studied are grossly underestimated because of the likely inflation in cost of fossil fuels over the next 40 years. They say no attempt was made to incorporate wind or solar power. This will have impacts on two other electric providers, Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association and Aquila, as well as Colorado Springs Utilities, the letter states. Since energy represents most of the operating and maintenance cost for the next 40 years, the groups say more water conservation measures would lower those costs. Water conservation plans for Security and Fountain are inadequate, they say, and not enough is being done to reduce per-capita water use... Most importantly, the coalition wants to see alternative sources for electricity like wind and solar power, because currently Aquila, Tri-State and Colorado Springs Utilities are heavily dependent on coal for power generation, making higher carbon emissions more likely. More Coyote Gulch coverage here. "colorado water" 6:00:14 AM

The Big Tent Say hello to the Big Tent, the place where bloggers that didn't get into the blogger pool for the DNC go to watch the convention and write. "2008 pres" 5:50:39 AM

? for President? Political Wire: "A new InsiderAdvantage poll in Georgia shows a very competitive race with Sen. John McCain barely edging Sen. Barack Obama, 44% to 43%, with Libertarian candidate Bob Barr getting 6%." The Moderate Voice: "Pundits and cartoonists can finally stop expressing amazement: it took a while, but a Newsweek poll shows Democratic presumptive Presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama has finally gotten his long anticipated "bounce" in the polls following the rival candidate Sen. Hillary Clinton's suspension of her campaign. A new Newsweek polls shows Obama has now opened up a "substantial double-digit lead, 51 percent to 36 percent, over McCain among registered voters nationwide.'" Pollster.com: "Latino Decision, Pacific Market Research/University of Washington political scientists Matt Barreto and Gary Segura, National Latinos - Obama 63, McCain 24; Florida - Obama 43, McCain 42; AZ, CO, NM and NV - Obama 57, McCain 31." "2008 pres" 5:50:05 AM

Northern Integrated Supply Project Here's Part III of The Colorado Independent's series on the proposed Northern Integrated Supply Project. Here's a background piece on the Army Corps of Engineers role in the proposed Northern Integrated Supply Project, from The Fort Collins Coloradoan. From the article: Through his job with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, [Chandler] Peter will make a recommendation on whether the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District can build the controversial Northern Integrated Supply Project, or NISP, and tap into the river's water to meet the needs of growing Northern Colorado communities... It's an important decision, Peter said, and one he and other Corps administrators are far from making. When the decision comes it is not likely to end the controversy, he said. "I figure the Corps is going to get sued one way or the other on this proposal based on what I'm hearing," he said. Opponents might sue if a permit to build Glade is issued and the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District, which is proposing the project, might sue if it is not, he said. In either case, it would be a new experience for Peter, who in 17 years with the Corps has not had a project taken to court... Peter is overseeing the Corps' lengthy process of developing an Environmental Impact Statement, or EIS, for the project. The document is required by the National Environmental Policy Act because of the scope of the project. The commander of the Corps' Omaha District will decide whether to issue a permit for the project as prescribed in the Clean Water Act. Peter's job is to keep track of thousands of pages of information to determine the potential environmental impacts of the project and whether those impacts can be mitigated. Contractors help with much of the analysis. At the same time, he's also working on EIS documents for other Front Range water projects, including the expansions of Halligan and Seaman reservoirs proposed by the cities of Fort Collins and Greeley... The Corps is neither a proponent nor opponent of NISP, he said. Its job is to be unbiased and make sure federal law is followed in crafting plans for the project. If a permit is issued, the agency also will make sure any restrictions imposed by the permit are followed... He's likely to recommend an extension to the commander of the Corps' Omaha District. At issue will be how long to make the extension... The comments have shown areas that need more research, he said, including water quality issues raised by Fort Collins officials and the accuracy of projected impacts of the project on the river's ecology. With no stake in the outcome of the project, Peter said he and the Corps "have nothing to hide." Peter said he welcomes the input; it helps him see what he might have missed. "It's one thing to be for or against a project, but I always like to ask that question, 'why,'" he said. "But I also expect other people to ask me 'why' and I'd better have a reason for what I'm doing." More Coyote Gulch coverage here and here. "colorado water" 5:49:34 AM

Brush buys 4 shares of Upper Platte Beaver Canal Brush is buying water in the Upper Platte Beaver Canal, according to The Brush News-Tribune. From the article: "The Brush City Council approved on Monday the city's purchase of four shares of Upper Platte Beaver water. According to Brush City Attorney Robert Chapin, the four shares of the Upper Platte Beaver Canal company will be purchased from sisters Johnette Vondy and Tanya Harned. The four shares were held from a farm the city purchased from the sisters' father several years ago, he said. The water will be purchased for $100,000, Chapin said. The city will pay $25,000 this year and three payments of $25,000 plus 6 percent interest on July 1 of each year thereafter beginning in 2009. The contract had been signed by both sellers and was ready for the city's affirmation Monday night, he said." "colorado water" 5:48:58 AM

Energy policy: Oil Shale Everyone is talking about oil shale this week. On Wednesday morning President Bush called on elected officials to remove the moratorium on production even thought there is no commercial method of production yet. Here's a report on U.S. Senator Ken Salazar's reaction to the president's speech, from The Valley Courier: "U.S. Senator Ken Salazar criticized President George Bush's speech about tapping into Western oil shale as a means of reducing high gas prices...Salazar said Republicans have suggested Democrats are stopping oil shale production. '[Experts] have all testified the barriers to oil shale development are economic, technological and environmental, not legal or regulatory' he said. Salazar said oil shale could not be developed until 2015 at the earliest." More Coyote Gulch coverage here. "2008 pres" 5:46:20 AM

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