Thursday, March 22, 2007

Global warming: The Earth is a beautifully complex system Al Gore (via TPM Cafe): "The planet has a fever. If your baby has a fever, you go to the doctor. If the doctor says, 'You have to intervene here,' you don't say, 'Well, I read a science fiction novel that says this isn't important.'" beSpacific: "Comittee on Oversight and Government Reform, Full Committee hearing to Examine Allegations of Political Interference with Government Climate Change Science (Part II), "This hearing examined evidence and allegations of political interference with the work of government climate change scientists under the current Administration." Category: 2008 Presidential Election 7:09:26 AM     Today is World Water Day. Use the day as an occasion to thank the movers and shakers in water around the state that make sure that you have a good supply of water for all your needs. Also reflect on the looming shortages, not just here Colorado, but worldwide. Many across the world are dying every day due to a lack of clean drinking water. Resolve to be wiser with water. Category: Colorado Water 6:48:11 AM     Fry-Ark water for Aurora? U.S. Congressman Mark Udall is asking for an EIS about Aurora's proposed 40 year lease for storage and exchange of 10,000 acre feet of water in Pueblo Reservoir, according to the Pueblo Chieftain. From the article, "The bureau is preparing an environmental assessment - probably by the end of the week - on Aurora's proposal to lease 10,000 acre-feet of excess capacity space in Lake Pueblo and to exchange up to 10,000 acre-feet annually to Twin Lakes in a paper trade. The length of the contract would be 40 years. Udall said the environmental assessment is less comprehensive than the EIS. The EIS is needed because of the controversies involved and to assure those who have concerns about the proposal, Udall said. Additionally, he said he thinks the Colorado congressional delegation could be divided because some have raised concerns that, without new legislation, the bureau lacks the authority to contract with Aurora... "The bureau is preparing to issue the final environmental assessment by the end of the week, said Kara Lamb, public affairs officer. 'It is one of the most comprehensive EAs we've prepared,' Lamb said. One section of the EA addresses Udall's concern and explains why a full EIS was not done, Lamb added. "Aurora is proposing to use the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project to export water from the Arkansas Valley to the South Platte, a purpose that many have said was never part of the 1962 act authorizing the project. U.S. Rep. John Salazar, D-Colo., is the latest to raise the question, although it was questioned in the past by both the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District and the Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservancy District. The 1962 act states that providing supplemental water for municipal, agricultural and industrial uses within the Arkansas Valley, as well as flood control and hydroelectric generation, are the primary purposes of the Fry-Ark Project. The bureau in 1986, 2003 and last fall, cited the 1962 Fry-Ark law and reclamation laws from 1902 and 1939, as well as past policies, as authority to enter contracts with Aurora. The bureau has issued one-year contracts to Aurora since 1986. Aurora would have storage space only after all needs for the Fry-Ark Project and contracts with in-basin users are satisfied. If Fry-Ark Project reservoir accounts are full, Aurora's water would be the first to spill. Aurora's storage account could be emptied and refilled as needed, while the exchange is limited to 10,000 acre-feet annually." Category: Colorado Water 6:13:56 AM     Springs and Lower Arkansas Water Conservancy District sign agreement for Fountain Creek Colorado Springs Utilities signed an agreement yesterday aimed at cleaning up Fountain Creek, according to the Colorado Springs Gazette. From the article, "Colorado Springs Utilities inked a deal Wednesday with a five-county water district that officials hope leads to a grander effort to clean up Fountain Creek and tap Arkansas Valley water supplies. The agreement is with the Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservancy District, which covers Pueblo, Prowers, Otero, Crowley and Bent counties... "The Lower District agreement calls for the district and Springs Utilities to commit $300,000 each over two years to draft a Fountain Creek corridor master plan. The plan will look at sedimentation, erosion, water quality, environmental and recreational concerns. It's the same path carved by a group of 25 to 30 agencies participating in the Fountain Creek Vision Plan launched last year by El Paso County at Sen. Ken Salazar's urging. The vision plan, though, lacks money, staff, a headquarters and a binding agreement on what to achieve by when... "The district agreement also sets in motion a push to retain the Arkansas River[base ']s water within the river basin... "The other agencies Springs Utilities hopes to draw into the larger agreement by this summer are Pueblo, Pueblo Board of Water Works, Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District, Aurora, Fountain, Pueblo West Metropolitan District and the Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District." Category: Colorado Water 6:04:25 AM

© Copyright 2007 John Orr. Last update: 4/1/07; 9:50:25 AM.