Monday, March 19, 2007

H.R. 902 clears the House U.S. Congressman Mark Udall (via The Cherry Creek News): "The U.S. House of Representatives today passed a bill sponsored by U.S. Rep. Mark Udall (D-Eldorado Springs) calling for research and development of ways that water from oil and gas production could be used for agricultural purposes and to alleviate drought conditions. H.R. 902, The More Water and More Energy Act, passed the House unanimously and is backed by officials from the oil and gas industry and the Bush administration. "Produced water is the water generated during oil and gas production. The U.S. generates over five million gallons of produced water per day. While this water can be and is used for agricultural purposes, most often it is handled as a waste and reinjected. Given the increasing demand for fresh water supplies in the west, Udall said it makes sense to consider how this water could supplement our water." Category: Colorado Water 6:35:19 PM     Farming on the Republican River Here's a look at the dilemma facing farmers in eastern Colorado, regarding their use of wells in the Republican River alluvial aquifer, from the Christian Science Monitor. From the article, "Duard Fix is torn. On the one hand, the wells with which he irrigates his corn crop are producing lots of water on good land, and corn prices are at near-record highs. On the other, several of those wells - the ones closest to the Republican River - may soon be shut down, as this area struggles to reduce the amount of water it uses from the river. His neighbors here in eastern Colorado have been raising money for a program to pay farmers like Mr. Fix to retire some of those wells, but it would mean giving up on productive land in a great market. If he doesn't participate, they could get shut down anyway by the state, without compensation... "As the once-plentiful water in the aquifer in this and other areas dwindles, farmers needing irrigation, like Fix, are beginning to see it as a limited resource. Interstate compacts like the one governing the Republican River and other competing water demands are forcing tough choices. Against that backdrop, farmers in Yuma County are taking significant steps to voluntarily reduce the water they use. They've taxed themselves to kickstart a federal program to get farmers like Fix to retire certain wells. And they're working with conservationists and other unlikely partners to come up with the softest landing possible for farmers, who regard their wells as liquid gold in a region with frequent droughts and little rain." Read the whole article -- it's a good look at the issues driving water policy in the 21st century. Category: Colorado Water 6:20:50 AM     Snowpack Here's a report on snowpack in the Arkansas River Basin from CBS4Denver.com. They write, "With the official start of spring less than a week away, Arkansas River reservoir levels are better than they've been in years, winter water storage is back to 1990s levels and crews are already working to open Western Slope collection systems in case there's an early snowmelt. Tom Musgrove, head of the Pueblo office of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, said crews already are plowing out roads in the Fryingpan collection system to prepare for the possibility of an early runoff. Last year, an ample snowpack early in the year disappeared at lower elevations by mid-May, resulting in an average yield. This year, snowpack is average in both the Colorado and Arkansas river basins, although most snow typically accumulates in March and April. If runoff is earlier on the Western Slope, the Arkansas Valley could benefit and begin importing water by the end of April." Category: Colorado Water 6:10:00 AM     Arkansas River Basin Roundtable Here's an update on the workings of the Arkansas River Basin Roundtable from the Pueblo Chieftain. From the article, "The Arkansas Basin Roundtable approved three more applications for state funding from mineral severance taxes last week, but like each of the other eight roundtables in the state, it is still learning what the state expects in the process. The roundtable's first three applications, totalling $320,000 and sent to the state in January, were approved last Tuesday by the Colorado Water Conservation Board at its meeting in Canon City. There were, however, some holes in all the applications as CWCB staffer Rick Brown said none of the applications received during the first round of funding clearly met all criteria. Alan Hamel, chairman of the Arkansas Basin Roundtable, said roundtable members chewed over the suggestion, but still need more guidance from the state... "[Wayne Vanderschuere, a Colorado Springs Utilities executive] was part of the team of IBCC and CWCB board members who hammered out criteria for the funding, and said the CWCB has worked hard to address roundtable-driven concerns in the process. That was evident Tuesday, when the CWCB approved the first 17 applications, despite a few misgivings. Arkansas Valley applications included $200,000 to the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District for the Arkansas Valley Conduit, $50,000 to the Southeastern district for its tamarisk control program and $70,000 to the El Paso County Water Authority for a groundwater recharge study." Category: Colorado Water 6:02:53 AM     Second Rivers Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth Camp Trout Unlimited is still recruiting for their Rivers Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth Camp, according to the Fort Collins Coloradoan. From the article, "The camp, June 10-16 at the Peace Valley Ranch near Basalt, provides 20 Colorado teens the opportunity to learn the nuances of conservation, river entomology and fly fishing techniques from experts in the respective areas. Experience in fishing is not a prerequisite for the campers, who are sponsored by local CTU chapters and private donations. Camp attendees are requested to spread the knowledge they have gained through presentations at local chapters and volunteering, when possible, with water conservation efforts." One would hope that the kids will have a chance to learn the rod, reel, frying pan and corn meal method of non-native trout control. Category: Colorado Water 5:53:55 AM     National Flood Safety Awareness Week March 19-23 2007 is National Flood Safety Awareness Week, according to PR-inside.com. From the article, "The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is pleased to support The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)-sponsored 2007 National Flood Safety Awareness Week, which takes place from March 19-23 (http://www.floodsafety.noaa.gov/). Within this week, Thursday, March 22 is Flood Insurance Day -- the perfect time to remind residents about their flood risks, how to prepare and protect themselves as winter rainy season ends, and spring thaw, snowmelt, and hurricane season begins." Category: Colorado Water 5:47:06 AM

© Copyright 2007 John Orr. Last update: 4/1/07; 9:49:12 AM.