Here's Part I of the Pueblo Chieftain's series on Colorado water issues. From the article, "The real work toward finding a consensus is just beginning out here in the real world. Colorado water issues have never had simple, easy answers and as the state edges toward the limits of its growth envelope, pressures on the state's water resources are increasing. Colorado is looking for answers about how to provide water for growing cities without drying up an already battered farm economy. Recreation and environmental advocates are being given a seat at the table for the first time in water negotiations. And all are struggling with ever-more-strict water quality targets. Nine roundtables each will send two representatives to a 27-member Interbasin Compact Commission, headed by George and created in 2005 by HB1177. Those members have been chosen and will be joined by six appointees by Gov. Bill Owens and one each by state Sen. Jim Isgar, D-Hesperus, and state Rep. Kathleen Curry, D-Gunnison, who chair state legislative agricultural committees."
Here's Part II of the Pueblo Chieftain's series on Colorado Water issues. They write, "The Arkansas River Basin is facing a combination of water issues more complex than any other area of the state. Water rights were fully appropriated more than a century ago, and have been shifting toward municipal use from farms for more than 50 years. The basin imports and exports water, bringing in more than 125,000 acre-feet from the Colorado River Basin, and sending more than 20,000 acre-feet to Aurora each year. Both large and small cities are trying to build pipelines to increase drinking water supplies and supplementing their traditional supplies by buying up ditch rights. Farms are under well restrictions from an interstate compact, while growth in El Paso County is depleting suburban groundwater supplies. Fountain Creek remains an overriding water quality concern. Water users continue to negotiate plans to increase storage in the basin. Mining has affected water quality in the headwaters of the basin. Water marketers continue to buy up large tracts of irrigated farm land for sales to cities. Coal-fired power plants will be using a greater share of Arkansas River water in years to come. Recreation is an emerging issue. New state parks at John Martin Reservoir and the Arkansas Headwaters were developed in recent years. Chaffee County and Pueblo are both claiming recreational in-channel diversions for boating courses. While those issues are not unique to the basin, few areas in the state face so many potential conflicts as growth and traditional water uses come in conflict."
Category: Colorado Water
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