Sunday, May 20, 2007

Water and power subcommittee of the [U.S.] House Natural Resources Committee meeting in Pueblo From the Pueblo Chieftain, "A congressional committee will meet in Pueblo next week for a oversight field hearing on the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project. The water and power subcommittee of the House Natural Resources Committee will meet at 9 a.m. June 1 in the Pueblo Community College Ballroom. The committee, chaired by Rep. Grace Napolitano, D-Calif., will look at Western water projects through the lens of the Fry-Ark Project at 45 years old... "The hearing, open to the public, will review the congressionally authorized purposes of the project, the role of the project in sustaining farms and communities, and new challenges. It is also designed to be a forum for local officials to review water supply needs and discuss water management challenges and strategies. About a dozen witnesses, including officials from Colorado state government, the Bureau of Reclamation and the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District, are expected to testify. At least five members of the Colorado delegation have indicated they will attend, Southeastern lobbyist Christine Arbogast told the board last week. They include Reps. John Salazar, D-Colo., and Doug Lamborn, R-Colo., who have both introduced water storage bills. Neither of the bills will be specifically considered at the June 1 meeting." Category: Colorado Water 7:43:47 AM     Farm disaster on the South Platte Here's an editorial about the pending farm disaster this year up on the South Platte River, from the Greeley Tribune (free registration required). They write, "It's time to quit beating around the bush about the water crisis in northeastern Colorado and take some action, because the nonaction to date isn't doing any of us any good. Farmers are frustrated with the lack of legislation in the Colorado General Assembly and lack of involvement by Gov. Bill Ritter regarding water issues. But their indifference will soon take its toll on more than just the farmers. If the governor or the legislature -- or both -- don't move off their collective butts, the economy of the region will go right down the South Platte River -- and into Nebraska -- along with all the water the state has already lost this spring. No action could mean the loss of at least $12 billion to the region's economy. And we're not beating around the bush on this statistic... "Study isn't needed. Meaningful, prompt resolution is. It's time for the governor and the state legislature to stand up to this handful of zealous water attorneys, who are ringing everything but their pocketbooks dry, and do what is right for farmers fighting to stay in business." Category: Colorado Water 7:25:37 AM     Whitewater economics Here's a look at the economic benefits of whitewater rafting to the Poudre River area, from the Fort Collins Coloradoan. They write, "More than 34,500 people a year see the region through the eyes of guides who lead them down the scenic Poudre River during the rafting season's 100 days. Well-educated and affluent, the rafters bring about $3.7 million to the region in direct expenditures, such as the cost of the rafting trip itself, and $9.4 million in overall impact, including overnight stays, meals and shopping, according to a 2006 survey for the Colorado River Outfitters Association. "That's a decent impact, but a fraction of what's possible, said Jim Clark, president of the Fort Collins Convention & Visitors Bureau, which surveyed out-of-town visitors to Fort Collins last year. The survey showed more than half of rafting customers were from out of town. They came, rafted, and left without spending much at local stores, restaurants or hotels. Of the 55.4 percent of rafters from out of town, only 12 percent stayed in the city overnight and only 14 percent ate here. 'There is an awful lot of opportunity to grow that,' Clark said. Partnerships with hotels, restaurants, microbreweries, campgrounds and other attractions could boost the rafting revenue considerably, Clark said." Here's a look at whitewater guides from the Fort Collins Coloradoan. They write, "Rafting clients are well-educated and affluent, with average incomes about $100,000, said Blado's boss, Brad Modesitt, owner of Mountain Whitewater Descents, 1329 N. U.S. Highway 287. 'We're dealing with educated people who want to deal with educated guides who can entertain them with humor and intriguing thought,' Modesitt said. 'In the '70s we had the adrenaline seekers. Now people are really looking for professionals who treat (guide work) that way,' Modesitt said. The average education level of Modesitt's seasonal workers is "above a college degree," he said. Mountain Whitewater's guides include teachers, insurance salespeople, master's students, musicians, a couple of requisite ski bums, a fireplace installer and a stockbroker." Category: Colorado Water 7:12:24 AM

© Copyright 2007 John Orr. Last update: 6/1/07; 6:57:16 AM.