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Saturday, November 1, 2008
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Here's an opinion piece in opposition to Amendment 52 written by Eric Wilkinson, from the Fort Collins Coloradoan. He writes:
From a planning perspective, Amendment 52 is problematic on two fronts. First, Amendment 52 will supersede the existing statewide transportation planning process by giving the legislature, and not the transportation commission, the authority to determine how to fund transportation projects.
Second, Amendment 52 adversely affects the current statewide planning process for water projects by diverting monies that, without Amendment 52, would be available for loans to fund needed water projects. Colorado water providers need nearly $3 billion to fund projects already identified as necessary to meet only a portion of our state's future water needs.
From a fiscal perspective, Amendment 52's proposed constitutional edict would divert funds that are currently dedicated to crucial state programs. These programs include low- income energy assistance, species conservation, water and soil conservation, bark beetle management and zebra mussel containment.
From a constitutional perspective, this measure puts yet another funding earmark into the state constitution, an obvious problem in a state that is already grappling with the unintended consequences of TABOR and Amendment 23.
More Coyote Gulch coverage here.
Category: Colorado Water
3:10:50 PM 
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Here's an update on efforts to form the drainage district for Fountain Creek, from Chris Woodka at the Pueblo Chieftain. From the article:
Commissioners in El Paso and Pueblo counties could consider intergovernmental agreements this month that would pave the way for proposed state legislation that would create a drainage district to tackle projects along Fountain Creek. The district, which would follow the model of the Denver Urban Drainage District, would encompass both counties and cities or districts within those counties would have the ability to sign on as well after it is formed. Initially, it would regulate only the area in the 100-year floodplain along Fountain Creek north of Pueblo and south of Fountain.
If cities sign on, they could delegate projects within Fountain Creek to the district as well. The district could also work to create land use policies throughout the watershed - a 930-square-mile area that feeds Fountain Creek - without usurping local zoning authority. If the Legislature approves the district, voters in both counties would still have to approve funding. A subcommittee of the Fountain Creek Vision Task Force, formed by cities, counties and citizens in the watershed two years ago, Friday agreed to the final form of the proposed intergovernmental agreement and sent it to county attorneys for review.
More Coyote Gulch coverage here.
Category: Colorado Water
3:05:22 PM
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© Copyright
2008
John Orr.
Last update:
12/1/08; 7:11:41 AM.
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