Coyote Gulch

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Amendment 52 would hurt efforts to comply with the Platte River recovery plan

The Denver Post is running an article about opposition to the proposed Amendment 52. From the article:

Amendment 52 -- which would redirect some oil-and-gas severance-tax revenues from water to highway projects -- is drawing fire from water officials and conservation groups across the state. "At a time when we are under pressure to get more out of our water resource and protect the environment, this would seriously hamper us," said Harris Sherman, executive director of the state Department of Natural Resources. At risk, Sherman said, are more than $50 million in funds to do water supply planning, offer low-interest loans for local water projects and for programs to control invasive species, manage forest health and help endangered species. Over time, the revolving loan fund for water projects administered by the Colorado Water Conservation Board would see about $134 million less in its account, Harris said.

Supporters of the proposal reject the criticism, which they say is aimed at defeating the proposal in favor of a Ritter administration amendment to use severance-tax money for college scholarships. "This is all about politics," said Sen. Josh Penry, R-Grand Junction, a sponsor of Amendment 52. Penry said that when Gov. Bill Ritter chose to seek the severance-tax change through the ballot rather than the legislature, those seeking more money for highways "were forced to put our own proposal to the voters."[...]

Groups including Trout Unlimited, Ducks Unlimited, the Northern Colorado Conservancy District, the Greeley Water Board and water conservation board say redirecting dollars slated for water will hurt the state. "We know that we are facing a growing population and a need for water projects," said Chris Treese, a spokesman for the Colorado River District. "This just hurts." The Denver Water Board also voted to oppose the highway proposal. "The endangered species fish recovery program on the Colorado and (South) Platte rivers is funded with this money, and losing it could affect our compliance with the Endangered Species Act," said Denver Water Commissioner Susan Daggett.

More Coyote Gulch coverage here and here.
Category: Colorado Water
6:09:07 AM