Brief by Marcia Darnell
San Luis Valley – May 2004 – Colorado Central Magazine
Runoff
The Rio Grande basin will owe New Mexico 15% of its river flow this year, says Steve Vandiver. The division engineer for the Colorado Division of Water Resources says recent rains changed the forecast from 27% just a short time ago. The Rio Grande is expected to carry 550,000 acre feet this year. Diversions have already begun.
Meanwhile, Allen Davey, district engineer for the Rio Grande Water Conservation District, says it’s not too late to save the Valley’s unconfined aquifer. All it will take is irrigating 50,000 fewer acres for five years.
On another front, the state water engineer received notice that Gary Boyce, once a partner in Stockman’s Water Company, intends to drill two monitoring wells on his property. By law, the wells can’t produce, and can only be used for a year, but fears are that “Stockman’s II” is in the works.
Antonito No-No
Two Antonito Town Board members face felony charges in the mishandling of town funds. Alice Gurule and Harold Abeyta, former mayor, are accused of taking illegal paychecks from the town between March 2002 and February 2003.
Election News
Town elections produced some surprises in the Valley. Creede and Del Norte elected new mayors, Eldon Seime and Glen Graham, respectively. Re-elected were mayors Myrrl Smith of Blanca, Rafael Gallegos of Antonito, Adeline Sanchez of Center, Kizzen Laki of Crestone and Alva Jack Smith of Hooper.
Village Voices
Wolf Creek Ski Area is holding public meetings on its proposed new village development. The idea of a 2,172-unit development made people question the economic, environmental, and social impact of a new development. Water concerns run high, as do worries about the impact on wildlife habitat. The U.S. Forest Service is involved as part of the development’s environmental impact study.
La Sierra Continuum
Issues surrounding historic access to La Sierra, aka the Taylor Ranch, continue. Owner Lou Pai is seeking to restrict access to the 77,500-acre parcel. Seemingly endless lawsuits have resulted in access to local residents for grazing, timber and firewood. Pai’s attorneys say they want to protect the resources of the land. Protesters staged a march and rally in response.
Brief Briefs
Funds for the purchase of the Baca Ranch by The Nature Conservancy, for repurchase by the federal government, are in escrow, according to U.S. Sen. Wayne Allard. The land will be added to the Great Sand Dunes to create a new national park.
Alamosa’s downtown is getting a facelift. Within a couple of months, the south side of Main Street will boast colorful new sidewalks with benches and planters. The north side will get spiffy next year.
Fred Velasquez of La Jara was named state Ranch Conservationist of the Year by the Colorado Association of Conservation Districts. Velasquez has received recognition for restoring the land around the Conejos River running through his 500-acre spread.
Alamosa is asking residents to cut water use by 20% this summer. A similar request last year resulted in a 1% savings.
San Luis Lakes has been spared. The state park near the Great Sand Dunes was on a funding “hit list,” but will remain open, at least this year.
The Friends of Engine 169 hope to have the train’s engine and tender car moved to the new pavilion (near the intersection of U.S. 160 and Colorado 17) by Train Day, June 19.
An audit shows the Alamosa School District owes the state almost $150,000.
The San Luis Valley Region Surveillance and Epidemiology announced that the Valley is ready for an epidemic, like influenza or smallpox, or a hit of bio terrorism.
The state Division of Wildlife released four more lynx in the San Juans. Another 33 are slated for release here before summer.
