Colorado Central Magazine - The monthly magazine for powder hounds

BLACK CANYON WATER RIGHT SETTLEMENT

The United States announced a settlement agreement with the State of Colorado regarding the federal reserved water right for the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The agreement provides a minimum year-round stream flow of 300 cfs with a 1933 appropriation date. The remaining flow needs for the Canyon will be provided by a 2003 state appropriation, through its Instream Flow Program, that will be based on annual snowpack within the Upper Gunnison Basin. The releases from the Aspinall Unit, above the Black Canyon, will be determined by annual consultation between the federal, state, regional and local water agencies. This arrangement is intended to make the Park Service’s rights junior to all other water rights within the basin. [This is very bad precedent for resolution of all future federal reserved water right claims by removing the seniority of federal claims based on when federal lands were reserved.]

COLORADO REQUIRED TO EXPORT MUCH OF ITS WATER EACH YEAR

Colorado is legally bound to export roughly 10.7 million acre-feet of water each year, according to 18 interstate compacts that guarantee flows to downstream users. Denver Post; 3/10 <http://www.headwatersnews.org/stories/redirect.php?id=7475>

COLORADO RIVER LOCATION INCONVENIENT FOR MOST STATE RESIDENTS

About 80 percent of Colorado’s water is on one side of the Continental Divide and most of its residents are on the other, guaranteeing tensions over use of the Colorado River. An overview. Salt Lake Tribune (Knight Ridder); March 30 <http://www.sltrib.com/2003/Mar/03302003/nation_w/nation_w.asp>

THREE VIEWS OF COPING WITH DROUGHT IN COLORADO:

IMPROVING EFFICIENCIES BETTER THAN NEW WATER PROJECTS FOR COLORADO

Colorado has options other than new water developments to help it cope with drought, according to conservation groups’ Smart Storage and Smart Supply concepts. Denver Post; March 9 <http://www.headwatersnews.org/stories/redirect.php?id=7456>

MORE STORAGE IS LONG-TERM SOLUTION TO COLORADO DROUGHT

Colorado lawmakers must immediately allow farmers to temporarily transfer water rights to cities, and for the long term, the state must increase its storage capacity. Denver Post; 3/9 <http://www.headwatersnews.org/stories/redirect.php?id=7457>

COLORADO CITIES MUST FIND WAYS TO COPE WITH LEGALITIES OF WATER SHORTAGE

Irrigators use more than 90 percent of the available water in Colorado, while growing cities are pressing against their allotments of about 5 percent. Denver Post; March 9 <http://www.headwatersnews.org/stories/redirect.php?id=7458>

COLORADO GOVERNOR CALLS FOR MORE RESERVOIRS

Colorado Gov. Bill Owens called for building more reservoirs to help the state through droughts and said he’d support a bill to prioritize 300 water projects. Denver Post; March 14 <http://www.headwatersnews.org/stories/redirect.php?id=7578>

LUSH LAWNS MAY SOON BE THINGS OF THE PAST IN DENVER, WEST

The ongoing drought and restrictions on watering are forcing tough decisions on lawn-loving homeowners and changing the urban landscape across the West. Washington Post; March 11 <http://www.headwatersnews.org/stories/redirect.php?id=7505>

BOULDER SHOWS COLORADO CITIES HOW TO SAVE WATER

Boulder enacted water-conservation practices months before other Colorado cities, and its success has become a model. Denver Post; March 11 <http://www.headwatersnews.org/stories/redirect.php?id=7492>

DENVER PUBLISHES MODEL ORDINANCES

Denver Water has proposed several ordinances to promote water conservation on its website The ordinances concern: rain sensors; sub-metering (designed to conserve water within apartments and condos); turf limitations; restrictive covenants; median sub-surface irrigation; and waste of water. The models indicate how much water might be saved if such measures were implemented. <http://www.water.denver.co.gov>

CONSERVATION INFO

Water Conserve is a Water Conservation Portal and Internet Search Tool that provides access to reviewed water conservation news and information. Glen Barry, creator of the Water Conservation Portal, notes “The state of water is a good indicator of ecological conditions in general, and the news is not good. Thousands die daily from poor water quality and sanitation. Water conservation is a matter of international security and stability, and we hope our new site helps highlight this fact.” The site provides links to hundreds of the best water conservation resources, while making all pages on these sites cumulatively searchable. There will be much continued site development in the future to build on this initial modest effort. <http://www.WaterConserve.info/>

STORM BOOSTS COLORADO SNOWPACK, HOPES

A spring storm that dumped two feet of snow in Denver and four feet in the foothills may be the beginning of the end of Colorado’s four-year drought. Denver Rocky Mountain News; March 19 & 24

[Although this storm will help the Front Range and the mainstem of the Colorado River, the Gunnison River Basin, the source of 10% of the Colorado River’s yield, missed getting any of this storm’s snowfall.]

<http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/weather/article/0,1299,DRMN_18_1822538,00.html> <http://www.headwatersnews.org/stories/redirect.php?id=7736>

COLORADO CITY TO REQUIRE DEVELOPERS TO BRING THEIR OWN WATER

Lafayette, Colo., city officials gave preliminary approval to a measure that would require developers to secure their own water rights before their projects will be approved. Boulder Daily Camera; March 26 <http://www1.dailycamera.com/bdc/lafayette_news/article/0,1713,BDC_2425_1840348,00.html>

SALT LAKE LOOKS TO COLORADO FOR RULES TO CONSERVE WATER

Salt Lake water officials are examining Colorado cities’ harsh water restrictions as growth stresses water supplies — drought or not. Deseret News; March 28 <http://www.headwatersnews.org/stories/redirect.php?id=7821>

OIL, GAS INDUSTRY GETS TWO-YEAR BREAK FROM FEDERAL STORM WATER PERMITS

Developers of oil and gas sites across the country will have at least two more years before they are required to get new storm water permits intended to protect fish, wildlife, and people. Phase 2 regulations went into effect on Monday, expanding the storm water-permitting program to construction sites that disturb 1 to 5 acres. But the EPA said it was postponing the requirements for oil and gas construction until March 2005 because it wants more time to evaluate the impacts on the industry.

San Juan Citizens’ Alliance and High Country Citizens’ Alliance, with the help of the Oil and Gas Accountability Project, are participating in a Colorado Water Quality Control Commission rulemaking hearing to try to prevent the delay from taking effect in Colorado. New coalbed methane well permits continue being issued at a rate of 2000/year. Postponing the permit requirements can have a significant impact preventing water quality protection during the EPA review. All other industries must comply with the new requirements.

<http://www.enn.com/news/2003-03-11/s_3271.asp>

SKI RESORTS GET CREATIVE TO BATTLE GLOBAL WARMING

Ski resorts across the country are launching a new campaign to highlight the impact of global warming on winter recreation and the opportunities both resort operators and their guests have to start solving the problem.

<http://www.enn.com/news/2003-03-19/s_3227.asp>

“A DRY LEGACY, THE CHALLENGE FOR COLORADO’S RIVERS” PRESENTATION AVAILABLE

Elizabeth Russell, the education and outreach coordinator for Trout Unlimited’s Colorado Water Project in Boulder, is available to present “A Dry Legacy, the Challenge for Colorado’s Rivers” to community groups. This presentation highlights current impacts on Colorado’s waterways, including instream flows, fisheries and recreation. Elizabeth Russell, Education and Outreach Coordinator: <erussell@tu.org> The report is available at <http://www.cotrout.org>

$10 MILLION FOR MINNOW

The recently enacted 2003 spending bill contained some $10 million for projects to help the endangered Rio Grande silvery minnow says the Santa Fe New Mexican, AP 2/21. The money will go for “river habitat modifications, water leasing and purchases, minnow breeding and management programs, stream monitoring and the removal of nonnative trees.”

MINNOW WARNING ISSUED

A newly released USFWS biological opinion warns that the Bureau of Reclamation’s “operational plans” for delivering water to agribusiness and urban users will “hasten drying of segments” on New Mexico’s Rio Grande. If the current drought continues, “endangered silvery minnows will die” says the Santa Fe New Mexican 3/18. Because of the drought, “diverting spring flows for agriculture will hasten river drying by 30 to 45 days” and Forest Guardians called the plan to give agribusiness and urban users first crack at available water the “silvery minnow-extinction express plan.” According to Greenwire 3/19 the Bureau’s plan, besides jeopardizing the “continued survival and recovery of the silvery minnow in its entire occupied range,” would dewater “43 of the 123” territories of southwestern willow flycatcher in the Rio Grande recovery area.

SCIENTISTS STUDY MASSIVE SLUMP NEAR SANTA FE’S WATER WELLS

Santa Fe’s increasing reliance on wells for its domestic water supply is apparently creating a half-mile-long crack in the earth. Santa Fe New Mexico; March 6 <http://www.headwatersnews.org/stories/redirect.php?id=7389>

SANTA FE DEVELOPERS LACK PLAN TO PROVIDE WATER TO 2,400 PROPOSED HOMES

Developers want Santa Fe city officials to annex 700 acres that could include 2,400 homes, but they don’t yet have plans to obtain water for the project. Santa Fe New Mexican; April 1 <http://www.sfnewmexican.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=7564995&BRD=2144&PAG=461&dept_id=367954&rfi=6>

NAVAJO REJECT BID TO SELL WATER TO POWER PLANTS

Navajo Nation Council committees rejected a proposal to sell surplus water to two San Juan Basin power plants and the coal company that feeds them. (AP); March 20 <http://www.headwatersnews.org/pr.navajowater.html>

NAVAJOS SUE FOR WATER

The Navajo Nation has filed a suit against the Dept. of Interior in U.S. District Court in Arizona, asking a federal judge to quantify the tribe’s claim to the Colorado River before making a final decision on water apportionment. The tribe accuses the U.S. government of failing to consider the tribe’s water rights in managing the river. The lawsuit could impact dozens of water-sharing agreements among Arizona, Nevada, California and other tribes, as the Secretary and DOI officials would be enjoined from taking major actions concerning the management of the Colorado River until the interests of the Navajo Nation have been determined and protected. Western States Water Council, 3/28/03

UTAH WETLANDS PROJECTS MAY PROVE TALKING IS BETTER THAN SUING

Talks among county planners, biologists, ranchers and federal regulators over how to save wetlands in Tooele County and West Valley City could be a sterling example of collaboration for the rest of West. Salt Lake Tribune; March 3 <http://www.headwatersnews.org/stories/redirect.php?id=7310>

THERE’S MORE THAN ONE WAY TO PROTECT WETLANDS

Every year, the federal government and Americans across the country preserve, restore and enhance thousands of acres of wetlands through cooperative conservation efforts, partnerships and voluntary programs. Unfortunately, that’s not the news that most Americans read about. Instead, the focus has been on the wetlands regulatory program. <http://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/12/opinion/12NORT.html>

UCRRP

The Upper Colorado River Recovery Program has posted its “Program Highlights 2002-2003” document for the Upper Colorado River And San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Programs. Go to www.r6.fws.gov/crrip/dc.htm

ARIZONA BALKS AT NEVADA, CALIFORNIA REQUESTS FOR THEIR OWN WATER

Nevada and California want to withdraw 29 billion gallons of water they deposited in Arizona reservoirs’ “water banks” seven years ago, but Arizona officials say it will take time, if they can do it at all. Arizona Republic; March 10 <http://www.headwatersnews.org/stories/redirect.php?id=7477>

ARIZONA WILL NO LONGER BE ONE OF FEW WITHOUT DROUGHT PLAN

Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano ordered state officials to draft their first drought management and water conservation plans. Arizona Republic; March 21 <http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/0321drought21.html>

INDULGENT LAS VEGAS IS CRACKING DOWN IN FACE OF WITHERING DROUGHT

Steve Swanson looked out onto his lush, green golf course and gestured to the rolling fairways. “A lot more’s going to have to come out,” the Siena Golf Club superintendent said as he stood in a bed of crushed rock that used to be verdant grass. <http://www.enn.com/news/2003-04-01/s_3612.asp>

MEAGER SNOWPACK MEANS MORE DROUGHT IN NORTHERN NEVADA

Northern Nevada entered its fourth year of drought with below-average snowpack measurements, the official end of the snow season. Reno Gazette-Journal; April 1

Western Water Report: April 3, 2003

Although portions of this report are used on occasion in Colorado Central Magazine, we do not publish the full report there, as we do on this website. It is prepared by Steve Glazer of Crested Butte and is distributed early each month via an email list. To subscribe to that list, email to <listserv@lists.sierraclub.org> with SUBSCRIBE RMC-CONS-WATER as the message.

Please note that this is an archive, and some links may no longer function.