
State Senator Jim Isgar's bill designed to clarify water rights for whitewater parks (SB37 - Concerning the Adjucation of Recreation In-Channel Diversions) was passed by the Senate Agriculture, Natural Resources and Energy Committee on Thursday, according to the Durango Herald. From the article, "A bill to change kayakers' water rights cruised through a Senate committee Thursday, despite opposition from boaters and mountain towns...
"Recreational water rights are fairly new in Colorado, and cities with kayak parks have spent a lot of money in court fights with other water interests...
"But representatives of Avon, Vail, Breckenridge, Steamboat Springs and other cities opposed several other parts of the bill. First, it limits water rights to kayak parks and excludes applications based on tubing, canoeing, river surfing and other sports.
"It also lets the water court reconsider its decision to grant a right for 20 years after a city wins its case, if the court decides the water isn't being used.
"And it tells the state engineer - who regulates the flow of rivers - not to supply water for a kayak park unless at least 90 percent of the water requested is available. The restriction will keep cities from applying for more water than they absolutely need, Isgar said.
"But Drew Peternell of Trout Unlimited said the 90-percent plan will make kayak water rights all but worthless in drought years...
"Isgar, however, said the bill shouldn't be judged on what happens during a drought. 'We all have a problem in dry years,' Isgar said.
Category: Colorado Water
7:42:26 AM
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