Colorado Water
House Bill 1177, sponsored by Rep. Josh Penry, D-Grand Junction, was introduced in the state legislature yesterday, according to the Rocky Mountain News [January 21, 2005, "Plan would create water roundtables"]. From the article, "The bill proposes regional roundtables that could negotiate with one another and enter into legal agreements known as compacts. The compacts would help ensure that the water needs of city dwellers, farmers, recreationalists and the environment can be met. But environmental groups are skeptical, fearing rivers and streams won't receive enough protection in the process, said Melinda Kassen of Trout Unlimited's Colorado Water Project. Backed by Gov. Bill Owens and Russell George of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, HB 1177 would establish nine roundtables, seven representing the state's major river basins and two dedicated to the north and south metro areas. A 25-member committee would oversee the process."
There is a new deal to provide more water for endangered species and growth in the Yampa River Valley, according to the Denver Post [January 21, 2005, "Yampa River pact aids water users, endangered fish"]. From the article, "The plan's two main elements call for the release of up to 7,000 acre- feet of extra water to be stored in an enlarged Elkhead Reservoir east of Craig, and the removal from the river's main stem of sport fish that compete with endangered species. It reflects both current and projected water needs in the Yampa River Basin through the year 2045. Eric Kuhn, general manager of the Colorado River Water Conservation District and a key player in the negotiations, said the agreement is an uncommon example of cooperation...The four endangered fish - the humpback chub, the bonytail, the Colorado pikeminnow and the razorback sucker - are native to the Colorado River and its main tributaries. The prehistoric-looking species have suffered precipitous population declines due to habitat loss and competition from introduced sport fish such as northern pike. The key to the plan is the ongoing effort to nearly double the size of the 13,700-acre-foot Elkhead Reservoir on a Yampa River tributary. Water in the Elkhead is used for power generation, recreation and the city of Craig. The enlargement project, expected to cost about $24 million, is scheduled to begin in March."
Update: Here's a website with nearly 900 water links. Thanks to Water Resources for the link.
6:28:29 AM 
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