Saturday, July 12, 2008

New septage rules and facility for Montrose County? From The Montrose Daily Press: "The creation of rules that would help track septage now largely unaccounted for within Montrose County is nearing completion. County officials are scheduled to meet with system cleaners (septage haulers) July 15 to work out the final details on rules which would govern standards and procedures for those who handle the county's waste. More from the article: System cleaners and county officials discuss and decide upon an acceptable reporting system, which would track pick-up locations and collection amounts. The current draft suggests global positioning devices be used but other more cost-effective alternatives may be sought, officials said. Additionally, County Land Use Director Steve White said the equipment standards for system haulers should be more specific. This would help the county avoid potential for subjective and arbitrary decisions on what constitutes acceptable standards. "The purpose is not to overregulate haulers but to have some control over the process to make sure things are done safe," White said. Thompson said the Colorado Department of Public Heath and Environment must review the regulations for consistency with the state's regulations. A public hearing before the Board of County Commissioners could take place in August, after the state responds with its input. However, no date has been set. The board approved $15,000 Monday for engineering of the septage receiving facility. A timeline on the project was not available by press time. Thompson said as soon as the county puts regulations in place, completes design of the facility and constructs it, the city will start to set up accounts. More Coyote Gulch coverage here. "colorado water" 12:15:13 PM

Black Canyon minimum flows The Delta City Council has approved the recent settlement for minimum flows in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, according to The Delta County Independent. From the article: Members of the Delta City Council have given their unanimous support to a tentative agreement which would resolve the seven-year lawsuit over water flows through the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The city has been represented in the negotiations by attorney Jim Brown, who has kept council members updated in executive session. He spoke openly at the June 24 meeting as he presented the proposed decree for the council's approval. Brown explained that mediation began last fall, with meetings of about 50 to 60 people, representing 30 actual parties to the case. "The result," he said, "is the decree that is before you tonight. It is not final; it is here for your approval in its present form. Other public entities involved in this case are doing the same thing we're doing tonight...each of them has to approve the agreement as well." The decree specifies a year-round base flow of 300 cubic feet per second, with peak flows one day a year to wash out the Black Canyon, Brown explained. The peak flow will occur between May 1 and June 30 during spring runoff, while protecting the City of Delta from an increased risk of flooding. "Determining the peak flow was quite a contentious issue," Brown said, "as was the question of shoulder flow."[...] Once the parties to the lawsuit have given their approval, the decree will be presented to the water court for final approval. Before then, Brown said, parties which did not participate will be given a show cause order which gives them an opportunity to raise objections before the water judge actually signs off on the decree. More Coyote Gulch coverage here. "colorado water" 12:09:00 PM

Hot Sulphur Springs: Watering restrictions From The Sky-Hi Daily News: "A Hot Sulphur Springs watering restriction has been effect since late June. The town mandates that trees and shrubs may be hand-watered every third day after 6 p.m. and before 9 a.m., but watering lawns or using sprinklers is restricted." "colorado water" 12:01:26 PM

New measurement rules for high capacity wells in the Republican River Basin? From The Yuma Pioneer: "The final ruling on the State of Colorado's Measurement Rules for the Republican River Basin is expected in the near future. Colorado Division of Water Resources Hearing Officer Jody Grantham conducted a formal hearing on the proposed rules, last Wednesday, July 2, in Wray. He will issue his final ruling sometime soon...Cost is a main concern for irrigators. The unofficial costs going around at last week's hearing was that it could cost $1,000 to $1,200 per well. The measurement rules are to go into effect in 2009. All high-capacity wells in the Colorado Republican River Basin will have to be equipped with some form of metering device by March 1. The purpose is to assist the State of Colorado in collecting data to assist in meeting its obligation to the Republican River Compact. Well users will have to make annual reports to the state." More Coyote Gulch coverage here. "colorado water" 11:57:50 AM

Brian Werner: We are very confident that we are going to move forward on this project (NISP) Brian Werner, spokesman for the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District, is hopeful that the proposed Northern Integrated Supply Project will lead to more water in the Poudre River downstream of Glade Reservoir, if the project is built, according to The Greeley Tribune. From the article: The Northern Integrated Supply Project has a potential of putting more water in the Poudre River during winter months and will provide an opportunity to manage the flow of the river from north of Fort Collins to where it flows into the South Platte River east of Greeley. That's contrary to what opponents of the project have been saying since the environmental impact statement was released on the project earlier this year, said Brian Werner, spokesman for the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District. Werner was the guest speaker at the quarterly meeting of Upstate Colorado Economic Development, which drew about 100 people to the Evans City Complex on Thursday... Werner said, on average only four years out of 10 will water be taken from the Poudre River as it comes out of the canyon to fill the Glade. But once complete, the advantages of the project are many, he said. "It will present the opportunity to better manage flows in the (Poudre) river, and we will be able to put water in the river that has never been there before, particularly in the winter months," Werner said. "We are not going to dry up the river with this project." But the river, he said, will continue to go dry at certain times of the year, especially during dry years. But that's been happening for the past 120-130 years, or ever since diversions have been taken from the river by Fort Collins, Greeley, irrigation companies and other entities, he said... Werner said he and other officials are confident the project will be approved and has set a goal of getting a permit issued by early next year and having Glade online ready to take water by 2015, with Galeton to follow about five years later. "We are very confident that we are going to move forward on this project," Werner said. More Coyote Gulch coverage here and here. "colorado water" 11:36:28 AM

Wastewater news From The Boulder Daily Camera: "Boulder County Public Health announced Wednesday that mercury levels at wastewater treatment plants in Lafayette have dropped thanks to an ordinance that went into effect in March. The city ordinance requires dental offices to install equipment that prevents mercury and other metals from entering wastewater treatment plants and local waterways. The mercury levels entering wastewater treatment plants dropped from an average 198 nanograms per liter to an average of 15.3 nanograms per liter over the past few months. After treatment of the wastewater, mercury levels leaving the plant average 2-3 nanograms per liter, well below the levels required by the Environmental Protection Agency." "colorado water" 11:28:10 AM

Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel update According to The Leadville Herald Democrat Lake County Commissioners are not ready to lift their disaster declaration for the Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel. From the article: The Lake County Commissioners have not yet voted to lift the state of emergency for Lake County with regard to the Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel blockage... A risk assessment released by the Bureau of Reclamation, owner of the tunnel, last week stated that a sudden release of water from the tunnel was very unlikely, and that those living near the portal were relatively safe. Despite this assessment, the commissioners discussed leaving the declaration in place during their regular meeting on Monday. Commission Chair Mike Hickman was the only commissioner who mentioned possibly lifting the state of emergency as the BOR risk assessment made him comfortable that nothing tragic would come from the plugged tunnel. Commissioner Ken Olsen, however, said that there was still a lot of work left to do, as seeps into the Arkansas River were polluting the river, and clean water from the Canterbury Tunnel was still being treated by the water-treatment plant at the portal of the LMDT. "It is important to maintain the leverage over the state and federal agencies," said Bob Elder, local mining engineer who was part of the independent peer review of the BOR assessment. He agreed that there was still a lot of work to do. Brad Littlepage, speaking as a citizen, said that the treatment plant, of which he is the manager, still did not have an adequate emergency-response plan for the chemicals that are being stored and used at the treatment plant. The amount of chemicals delivered to the plant, he said, has tripled since the emergency-response relief well started pumping water from the LMDT to the plant. It will be a month, he said, until the BOR puts the new plan in place and starts exercises according to the plan. This does not help the residents in the park or the employees if something were to happen in the meantime. Littlepage also said that, although the plant is running at capacity, there is little progress being made on reducing the amount of water in the mine pool. This, according to Elder, means that the recharge from other sources, such as from the also collapsed Canterbury Tunnel north of the LMDT and from Evans Gulch, where water goes from the surface into the groundwater, are continuing to add to the mine pool. More Coyote Gulch coverage here and here. "colorado water" 11:24:25 AM

Antero opened to motorized boating From The Rocky Mountain News: "Antero Reservoir will open to boating [July 10th] after being closed for two months to contain the threat of zebra mussels. Officials will inspect boats on the north ramp only, seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Workers will decontaminate vessels carrying the mussels, which can clog water-related equipment and cause damage to fisheries by eating beneficial plankton, according to a news release from the Colorado Division of Wildlife." More Coyote Gulch coverage here. "colorado water" 11:14:38 AM

Tangle of water projects in Pagosa Springs Here's Part IV of the Pagosa Daily Post's series Tangled Waters. Read the whole thing. Here are a few excerpts from the article: It's clear, from Springs Resort representative Bill Whittington's January 22, 2008 memo -- and from the Town Council's non-decisive discussions about "river easements" at recent meetings -- that the Town needs some kind of river easement from the resort before it can go ahead with its planned white water park enhancements in the San Juan River. It's also clear that Whittington is proposing some kind of negotiated agreement that would trade those "easements" for a very sizable annual delivery of geothermal mineral water from the Town's PS-5 Well -- up to 200 million gallons per year, by my calculations. What exactly are those easements, and why does the Town need them? Here's Part V of the Pagosa Daily Post's series Tangled Waters. "colorado water" 11:01:16 AM

In-stream flow right for the Upper Gunnison River? The Colorado Water Conservation Board is considering an in-stream flow right for the Upper Gunnison River, according to The Crested Butte News. From the article: The Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) may create an in-stream flow water right on the upper Gunnison River for greater protection of the aquatic environment. In-stream water rights seek to protect waterway environments by mandating that a certain amount of water continually flows down the river. The CWCB, charged with overseeing the state's water storage and conservation projects, is considering adding this protection to the Gunnison River (between Almont and Blue Mesa) on behalf of a recommendation made this February by local conservation group High Country Citizens' Alliance (HCCA). But other water users say that kind of additional legal protection would hinder future development in the watershed without a considerable supply of water that isn't already earmarked for other uses. If a river that has in-stream flow protection dips below a certain flow level in a certain "reach," or length of waterway, local water users would be asked to augment the stream flow by paying for additional water that is stored and released upstream. Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District (UGRWCD) board member and HCCA water director Steve Glazer says HCCA is now withdrawing their recommendation, based on recent concerns from local water users. During the district's regular board meeting on Monday, June 23, Glazer said the intent of the protection was to prevent water exchanges that could have a negative impact on the world-class fishery of the Gunnison River. Glazer said a similar recommendation was submitted to the state 10 years ago, along with an environmental study of the river's environment and potential flow criteria. That recommendation was never approved, and the CWCB would need to update stream flow and water availability data before moving further. "I think it's premature for us to be talking about a decision. I asked to have this put on the agenda to initiate some discussion," he said... On Wednesday, June 25, several staff members of the CWCB's stream and lake protection section hosted a public meeting in Gunnison to discuss the recommendation. CWCB senior water resource specialist Jeff Baessler presented information about the function of the in-stream flow program, and where other stream and river protection recommendations were being made in the state. Before the CWCB board would have a chance to approve a recommendation, Baessler said, the CWCB staff would spend a fair amount of time investigating the river and proving three things. First, that a natural environment exists that can be protected. Second, that enough water is available in the watershed to meet in-stream flow demands, and finally, that such protection won't injure other water rights that could occur, such as a new groundwater well. Baessler noted that under Colorado's prior appropriation system of allocating water rights, a new in-stream flow right would be considered junior and could not affect older, senior water rights. The earliest the CWCB board would review a recommendation for the Gunnison River would be in January 2009, Baessler said. He said there were several opportunities for any person or entity to object to an in-stream flow recommendation leading up to a board review, and if the CWCB board approves an in-stream flow recommendation next January the public would have until March 31 to appeal the decision... UGRWCD member Ken Spann said not all water users in the basin supported protecting the Gunnison River through the in-stream flow program. "This proposal did not come out of a consensus reached in our community. You need to be sensitive to that concern as it goes forward. I think you will find the mechanisms on the river already in place protect the fishery we have," Spann said, referring to existing protection mechanisms such as the Gunnison River Recreational In-Channel Diversion Accord, and the 1975 Taylor Park Reservoir Operation and Storage Exchange Agreement... After the meetings, Baessler said the CWCB was holding off further investigation of the river's potential for in-stream flow protection, to see if HCCA withdraws its request, and also because of the concerns heard during the meetings. On Tuesday, July 8, Glazer says the HCCA board decided to withdraw their recommendation to the CWCB. Glazer says the board decided that maintaining a good working relationship with other water interest groups, such as those involved in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison settlement, would be more beneficial than continuing to pursue the in stream flow protection. "There is a consensus on our board that we entering a very important time in resource decision making...They wanted to maintain the cohesiveness that was developed during the Black Canyon discussions." "colorado water" 10:52:43 AM

Dolores River: Hopkins Ranch now under conservation easement From The Cortez Journal: "Montezuma Land Conservancy and Rosemary Hopkins signed a conservation easement June 28, permanently protecting her historic 80-acre ranch from subdivision and development. Located one mile west of Bear Creek, the Hopkins Ranch is a hidden gem, according to a statement from the land conservancy. With more than one mile of Dolores River frontage, the property's fertile pastures intermingle with lush aspen and cottonwood forests. Together these features create a haven for livestock, fish, and wildlife, and the property is visible from the highly-traveled San Juan Skyway. "By putting this land in a conservation easement I hope to leave it unspoiled for future generations," Hopkins said in the statement from the land conservancy. 'It is very precious to me.'" "colorado water" 10:36:39 AM

Grand County opts out of FEMA flood program From The Sky-Hi Daily News: "Grand County commissioners have arrived at the decision not to participate in the Federal Emergency Management Agency's flood program after an in-depth workshop on the matter on Monday. Commissioner Nancy Stuart said only a 'minute piece of Grand County' has been mapped, and there is a great expense to residents to find out whether they are in a flood plain. Maximum coverage on a house is $250,000, but does not cover interior walls or goods, Stuart said...'We see no detriment to the people of Grand County if the county does not participate in the program, financial or otherwise,' said County Attorney Jack DiCola." "colorado water" 10:25:55 AM

Pitkin County to relax rules on dredging and filling to accommodate restoration projects? From The Aspen Daily News: "The Pitkin County commissioners agreed Wednesday to remove a strict prohibition from the land-use code against 'filling or dredging' in local rivers and streams. In its place the commissioners approved, on first reading, language that would allow for river 'restoration' projects that meet certain criteria for purposes such as 'preventing further degradation' or improving 'habitat for a diversity of species.'" More from the article: The proposed changes to the county's land-use code are made primarily in response to a landowner's request to dredge and fill portions of the Roaring Fork River east of Aspen above the Northstar Nature Preserve, according to Lance Clarke, assistant community development director for Pitkin County. Ed Bass, a billionaire from Fort Worth, Texas, has been seeking county approval for more than a year to use an excavator to dig in the river and use boulders to create a series of riffles and 5-foot-deep pools in a 2,700-foot-long section of the Roaring Fork River known as "Stillwater." "My own objective is to create quality aquatic and riparian habitat in what is today an adversely impacted and degraded area," Bass wrote in a letter to county officials in June 2007. Bass originally sought an administrative sign-off on the project, but after neighbors objected, it was referred to the county commissioners... Warren Rider, a natural resources specialist in the county's environmental health and natural resources department, said he drafted the proposed new code language with care, and pointed out that the county code still begins with a prohibition. The proposed code states: "The alterations to stream channels (including their capacity) shall be prohibited unless it has been satisfactorily demonstrated, through site-specific scientific study and analysis (including an evaluation of all upstream and downstream impacts), that the proposed channel work will improve the dynamic stream channel function, the habitat for a diversity of species, and that future and historical public uses, such as stream navigation, recreation, and aesthetics, are not diminished by the proposed channel improvements." The change to the land-use code would mean that instead of being stymied by a black-and-white prohibition against filling and dredging in the river, a proponent of a project would be able to hire consultants and work to convince the commissioners that the proposal has enough merit to proceed... Rider contacted the Roaring Fork Conservancy about the proposed code change and said he felt his proposed language met the group's concerns, which included ensuring that there were no negative impacts downstream from any work approved. A second reading for the new land-use code language is set for July 23. "colorado water" 10:21:41 AM

Alamosa: Water supply system update Here's an update on Alamosa's water system from The Valley Courier. From the article: Chlorine levels remain elevated in Alamosa's water system as the city prepares to bring into full operation a water treatment plant that will allow the city to cut those levels in half. Alamosa Public Works Director Don Koskelin said on Wednesday that the water treatment plant should be fully operational by the end of the summer. The state should then permit the city to reduce its chlorine levels. The city's water has been more heavily chlorinated since the salmonella outbreak this spring. The water treatment plant was already in the works as a result of more stringent arsenic standards from the Environmental Protection Agency. The city's water did not pass those new standards so the city was mandated to build a water treatment facility to filter out the arsenic. The facility was scheduled to also chlorinate Alamosa's municipal water supply, something the city had never had to do before. The salmonella outbreak, which was linked to the water system, expedited the chlorination program. Koskelin said the current level of chlorine in the Alamosa water system ranges from 1.4-1.7 parts per million. "I would expect by the end of the summer we will be dropping that in about half," he said, "assuming everything goes well with the plant."[...] Koskelin said the city's new treatment plant is about four weeks ahead of the compliance schedule arranged with the state. He said he hoped the project would be even farther ahead but the city lost 7-10 days in the last few weeks. Nonetheless, the city is still ahead of its original schedule, he said... The facility itself is constructed but some procedures still need to be completed such as installing an exhaust fan and balancing the heating/cooling system. "It's a matter of fine tuning," Koskelin said. He added, "Starting mid-August we will be in full production ... assuming no glitches show up. The third or fourth week in August we should be in full production." He said the city will start running water through the plant next week, not for treatment but to test out the operation of the facility. The following week - "if everything goes right" - the city will begin treating water at the new facility. He said by July 28 the city should start putting treated water from the new facility into the municipal system. The city will then conduct a strenuous 14-day test to see if the treatment operation can handle extreme conditions and other challenges such as a power outage. The city will make sure the back-up generator works properly in such a situation, for example... After that testing period the water treatment plant should go into full production mode according to Koskelin. Even at that point, however, the city will continue checking out the operations. Koskelin explained that during the 60 days following the strenuous test the plant will be running normally but the city will perform optimization procedures. For example, the city will evaluate how much of the chemical that attracts the arsenic will need to be used. The city will start at the high end and cut back. Once the plant is operational the city will rearrange its distribution of potable and raw water so the city does not have to pay to treat water that is solely used for irrigation purposes. "colorado water" 10:01:36 AM

33rd annual Natural Hazards Workshop From The Colorado Daily: "Our knowledge of the effects of climate change continues to be measured and monitored by scientists the world over. An upcoming event hosted by the University of Colorado at Boulder will gather experts from around the globe to discuss the newest information, technologies, and plans of action at the 33rd annual Natural Hazards Workshop. Through a cooperative effort of presenting the opinions of dozens of experts of the course of the event, running July 12-15, the goal is to go focus on mitigating the impacts of various phenomena -- from sea level rise and flooding to wildfires and tornadoes -- by basing prevention and relief efforts around the newest information...The workshop is not open to the public, although the public can remain informed and sign up for an invitation through the event's aforementioned website. According to Peters, the 400-500 guests attending the workshop were selected based on ongoing contributions toward research and education concerning these issues in their community." "colorado water" 9:38:25 AM

Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area Citizens Task Force meeting From The Mountain Mail: "River rafting safety topped discussions during the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area Citizens Task Force meeting Thursday in Salida. 'The time has come to talk about (safety),' Rob White, Colorado State Parks AHRA manager told task force members. 'Safety is on the public's mind.'" "colorado water" 9:24:52 AM

Lower South Platte Water Conservancy District meeting Here's a recap of this week's meeting of the Lower South Platte River Water Conservancy Board and their discussion of the proposed Heyborne recharge project, from The Sterling Journal Advocate. From the article: The proposed project, which is located approximately four miles southwest of Ovid, consists of a planned lift pump and pipeline that will carry water from the river to a series of proposed recharge ponds. The project would have a 2008 water right. Kent Heyborne, who owns the land, also plans to establish wildlife habitat near the river in partnership with Ducks Unlimited. The benefit to LSPWCD from the project will be augmentation water for the eight wells that were recently included in the district's augmentation plan as part of the Julesburg Recharge Project. Credits will also be generated as part of Colorado's obligation towards the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program (PRRIP) -- the three-state agreement to protect land and water for endangered species in central Nebraska. Written agreements are needed to protect the interests of all the entities involved. LSPWCD is currently negotiating a contract with Heyborne to develop the project on Heyborne's property. One point of consideration is the length of the agreement, which has been amended to allow both a 30-year term with 10-year extension periods for full operation of the project, and a perpetual term for LSPWCD's ability to operate as needed for augmentation of the eight wells discussed above. In looking over the agreement on Tuesday, LSPWCD attorney Kim Lawrence said that so much has been added to the agreement here and there that it is hard to interpret. Lawrence's assistant, Kelly Custer, has been working on the agreement. She and LSPWCD Manager Joe Frank will work together to reorganize it and clean up the wording... "The substance of the agreement, with a few changes recommended by the board, is acceptable and will be presented to Mr. Heyborne, who has agreed in concept with the current version of the agreement," Frank said. "We now need to get this into a form where we can send it to SPWRAP, in order to start developing both an overall Memorandum of Agreement and a Site Specific Agreement between LSPWCD, SPWRAP and Ducks Unlimited." SPWRAP is the South Platte Water Related Activities Program Inc., a non-profit organization formed to represent Colorado water users in the South Platte basin and to cover water obligations in regards to the PRRIP... The LSPWCD board adopted a resolution to support Glade Reservoir and the Northern Integrated Water Supply Project (NISP). NISP is managed by the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District and will be used to store junior water rights on the Poudre River. Frank said that the Draft Environmental Impact Statement compiled by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers pointed out that without NISP, those individual water providers participating in NISP would develop independent water supplies by purchasing water rights and pursuing independent storage and conveyance systems. Frank noted that this would lead to increased agricultural dry-up in the South Platte basin. At the regular board meeting later that morning, the LSPWCD voted to allow the group's executive committee to approve the Heyborne contract at their meeting in August -- if both LSPWCD and Heyborne have reached agreement at that time... Flow meters: Aug. 15 is the final day for applications for the $450 flow meter reimbursement from the Water 2020 Grant. To receive the money, meters must be installed and all paperwork turned in by that date. Frank said there is still money in the fund, but after the final extension deadline of the Water 2025 grant, whatever remains will revert to the Bureau of Reclamation. Application forms are available at www.lspwcd.org or at the LSPWCD office, 100 Broadway, or by calling (970) 522-1378. Also from The Sterling Journal Advocate: An organization called the Renaissance Enterprises Group, LLC is now actively purchasing water rights within Logan, Washington and Morgan Counties with the intent to dry up land, Manager Joe Frank told the board of the Lower South Platte Water Conservancy District at their meeting Tuesday. As the board was reviewing recent water court filings, Frank said that in addition to the Parker Water and Sanitation District and the United Water and Sanitation District, Renaissance Enterprises is buying water rights they plan to use for municipal and industrial purposes for Front Range development. Frank then told the board a little about the Renaissance project. This is a Front Range development group out of Greenwood Village that is buying up ditch water rights in northeast Colorado. They appear to be trying to buy at least 51 percent of each irrigation ditch company's rights in order to obtain a controlling interest, Frank said. So far, they are reported to have contracts or purchase options in the Schneider, Johnson-Edwards and Tetsell ditch companies. "It appears that they're planning to exchange water upstream by drying up acres between the upstream point of diversion and the downstream calling right in order to cover return flows from water diverted upstream." Frank said. He noted that one frightening aspect of the Renaissance project is that there does not seem to be any plan to build a pipeline, but rather, to just take the water out of the South Platte upstream... The Renaissance project organizers have posted public notices of intent to file to change these water rights. One such notice is at the Prewitt Reservoir inlet canal, on the Johnson-Edwards ditch. It appears from the public notices that the development group will probably be filing in water court in December of this year. "colorado water" 9:04:24 AM

Northern increases CBT water quota to 80% From The Loveland Reporter Herald: "The Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District today increased the 2008 Colorado-Big Thompson Project water quota to 80 percent. This is a 10 percentage-point increase from the quota set in April and a 20-point increase from the initial quota set in November. It means owners of water from the project, which brings water across the mountains to the Front Range, will receive 0.8 acre-feet of water for every share they own. More from the article: "The board determined the increase is warranted primarily because of the lack of precipitation this year, currently 40 percent below normal," General Manager Eric Wilkinson said in a news release. Also, board members believe the increase will help the overall water supply in the region and help those unable to acquire water on the rental market. The supplemental quota will provide an additional 31,000 acre-feet of water for delivery. "colorado water" 8:42:17 AM

Fountain Creek management Pueblo and El Paso County plan to oppose stricter rules for Fountain Creek at a Colorado Water Quality Control Commission hearing in Denver on Tuesday, according to The Pueblo Chieftain. From the article: The Colorado Water Quality Control Commission will have a rule-making hearing on Fountain Creek, as well as upper reaches of the Arkansas River, at 9 a.m. Tuesday in Denver. The Water Quality Control Division is proposing designating Monument Creek and all of Fountain Creek from Colorado Springs to the Arkansas River as "reviewable" rather than "use protected," a designation approved by the commission last year. A use-protected status allows a stream to further degrade from human contamination, while reviewable status requires study of alternatives when new sources of discharge are proposed. Pueblo's opposition is based on the potential for increased wastewater release costs down the road, assistant city attorney Tom Florczak said. "We could spend millions and millions of dollars, and the water won't be any better for fish, any better for people," Florczak said. "That money is better spent where it would do more good." That stance disappoints environmental groups. "It's 180 degrees of where the city needs to be," said Ross Vincent, senior consultant for the Sierra Club... The state has three categories of stream water quality protection, explained Sarah Johnson of the Water Quality Division. The highest level of protection is considered for "outstanding water," and no degradation is allowed. Only high mountain streams usually fall into the category. At the other end are use-protected streams, where no extra protection is required. Cities and sanitation districts still have to comply with levels in their wastewater or stormwater discharge permits, which are reviewed every five years. In between are reviewable streams. Those streams have not yet reached levels for contaminants set by the Environmental Protection Agency, and any new discharges in those reaches can be reviewed by the state. Johnson said the division is proposing the reviewable status because all of the potential contaminants - chemicals or metals - were not properly identified in notices during last year's rule-making hearing. The designation would not change current discharge permits or alter the status of Fountain Creek as impaired for salinity, selenium and E. coli, she said. "But if there's growth, a new discharge facility would have to look at alternatives that would provide options to further degradation," Johnson said. Pueblo joined Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs Utilities, Tri-Lakes, Upper Monument, Security and Fountain to oppose reviewable designation. Florczak said the city joined with the others because of time constraints imposed by the commission, which indicated it favored a joint presentation in 30 minutes at the hearing. All of the El Paso County communities discharge treated effluent into Monument or Fountain Creek. The communities plan to increase discharge capacity to 162 million gallons per day from 96 million gallons per day within the next 20-40 years, according to a survey by The Pueblo Chieftain in 2006. Pueblo discharges treated effluent into the Arkansas River below the confluence of Fountain Creek and treats about 12 million gallons per day. However, new growth at Pueblo Springs Ranch, a 24,000-acre development proposed north of Pueblo, could mean a new sewer plant with an outfall on Fountain Creek in the future, Florczak said. In addition, Pueblo is concerned that the Arkansas River above Fountain Creek is already designated reviewable, and if Fountain Creek were given the same status, the use-protected reach below the confluence could come under greater scrutiny, adding costs to Pueblo's treatment That could mean additional treatment costs at the Pueblo sewage treatment plant, including the possibility that flows returned to the Arkansas River would have to be treated with reverse osmosis. "You're talking about adding tens of millions of dollars in cost if we have to treat discharge with reverse osmosis," said Gene Michael, director of Pueblo's wastewater enterprise. "Then there's the question: How do you get rid of the waste (brine) from that process?" The city is planning to spend at least $9 million to $12 million in improvements. Fountain Creek was designated as use protected since 1989, and the status has not changed, Florczak said. "I think the city and the council very much want to see Fountain Creek improved," Florczak added. "We just didn't see this as anything that would help that effort."[...] The hearing will also look at tightening levels for zinc and cadmium on the Upper Arkansas River. More Coyote Gulch coverage here. "colorado water" 8:27:34 AM

© Copyright 2009 John Orr. Last update: 3/14/09; 10:25:00 PM.