Safeguarding Rio Grande cutt

By Charlie MeyersThe Denver Post

Article Last Updated: 05/20/2008 11:20:45 PM MDT

With the possible exception of a few loggers and certain water diverters, everyone wishes the best for the Rio Grande cutthroat trout. As one of three remaining native trout subspecies in Colorado, it surely deserves the full force of protection and restoration that official and private forces can afford.

The question that lingers in the wake of last week's decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to recommend listing under the federal Endangered Species Act is just how this protection can be delivered most effectively.

Certain conservation groups, notably Trout Unlimited, cheer for federal protection. State wildlife agencies that continue to strive for recovery believe more can be achieved under the current programs.

http://www.denverpost.com/charlie/ci_9326347

Way to Go!

By TJ BrownFront Range Field Director / Colorado Environmental Coalition

Thank you for the amazing difference you made for the environment in this year's Colorado General Assembly. The session wrapped up last week and there is widespread agreement in the environmental community that big gains were made. Here is a quick review:

Healthy Rivers

• HB 1280 – PASSED – Protects water right holders when they choose to lease or donate water to the Colorado Water Conservation Board.
• HB 1346 – PASSED – Makes funding available to purchase instream flows for water conservation purposes.

HB 1369, which would have created a tax incentive for water right holders to donate to the instream flow program, failed to pass the Senate after making it through the House of Representatives.

Clean, Renewable Energy

• HB 1160 – PASSED – Creates fair and uniform rates for homeowners and businesses for the excess electricity produced by their solar, wind, or geothermal energy systems.
• HB 1164 – PASSED – Encourages the Public Utilities Commission to consider large-scale solar power plants as a way to meet our state’s energy needs.
• HB 1350 – PASSED – Enables local governments to provide lower interest loans to Coloradans who are making clean energy and efficiency improvements to their homes.

HB 1107, which would have created energy savings for homeowners and businesses, failed to pass due to heavy opposition from the Colorado Rural Electric Association.

Smart Growth

• HB 1141 – PASSED – Gives local governments better information a proposed development’s water supply.

HB 1312, which would have tied state transportation dollars to smart growth plans, failed in the House of Representatives.

And, a major victory on uranium mining:

• HB 1161 – PASSED – Protects communities from the harmful impacts of uranium mining.
• SB 228 – PASSED – Makes information about prospective mining operations more available to the public.

These measures will protect Colorado’s environment for decades to come. You have been an integral part of ensuring these successes.

Thank you!

Wickstron: Our Boulder Creek

Boulder Daily Camera - 5/19/08 by Gordon Wickstrom

"....But most of all, the Boulder Fly Casters, Boulder's chapter of Trout Unlimited. These dauntless anglers and restorationists have already restored that fine bit of the canyon immediately above the tunnel. It bids fare now to return to something of its past loveliness.... "

http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2008/may/19/our-boulder-creek/

New plan: Save water for 10 years

Longmont Times Call by Rachael Carter

"City officials will start gathering residents’ feedback on the draft plan later this month, Huson said — a plan that, over the next 10 years, would save an estimated 1,600 acre-feet of city water..."

http://www.timescall.com/News_Story.asp?id=8605

Bush signs law to clean up contaminated water

Posted: Thursday, May 08, 2008 at 5:51 p.m.

WASHINGTON, DC (AP) -- President Bush has signed into law a measure that will explore putting groundwater pumped out during oil and gas production to use.

The bipartisan bill directs the Interior Department to assess the feasibility of recovering and cleaning up the millions of gallons of water that are reinjected into the ground or disposed of during oil and gas development.

The bill authorizes federal grants for pilot projects to test technology that could make the water usable for irrigation and other uses.

Democratic Sens. Ken Salazar of Colorado and Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico and Republican Sens. Pete Domenici of New Mexico and Mike Enzi of Wyoming sponsored the bill. Democratic Rep. Mark Udall of Colorado sponsored the bill in the House last year.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Mining bills ready for governor's signature

May 6, 2008 - Northern Colorado Business Report  "Two bills to protect the state's groundwater from potential uranium mining contamination and strengthen the public's right to know about prospecting activities were passed by the Colorado General Assembly on May 5 and now await Gov. Bill Ritter's signature to become law..."

http://www.ncbr.com/article.asp?id=93129

State ponders purchase of Blue Mesa water

May 15, 2008

Will Shoemaker Times Staff Writer

http://www.gunnisontimes.com/index.php?content=C_news&newsid=5550

WSJ: Sewer to Spigot: Recycled Water

The Wall Street Journal

By ANJALI ATHAVALEY

May 15, 2008; Page D1

A growing number of cities and counties grappling with water shortages are turning to a solution that may be tough for some homeowners to stomach: purifying wastewater so that residents can drink it....

http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB121081371900793887-N45F8FtRN5VmTkCc8Q6S_feiS5o_20080613.html?mod=tff_main_tff_top

PAWSD fees stir debate

Pagosa Springs Sun By Chuck McGuire

When another man questioned why PAWSD growth projections and anticipated Dry Gulch Reservoir costs were so much higher than those of the town or state, Schmidt explained that state growth projections over the past decade were off by 40 percent. He also discounted the accuracy of town and state reservoir studies, claiming they considered only the cost of building a new dam and not a related treatment plant and delivery systems.

Pagosa Realtor Mike Heraty asked why the PAWSD board seems unable to justify costs connected to developing Dry Gulch. He continued, by suggesting PAWSD “went around voters” while borrowing $11.2 million to buy land for the future impoundment.

As Wessels took offense to Heraty’s comments, then attempted to explain how voters will yet decide the eventual size and total cost of the reservoir, Heraty illustrated his frustration by leaving the room.

http://www.pagosasun.com/frontpage.htm#Anchor-PAWSD-47857

Denver Water Board extends olive branch to West Slope

By Tonya BinaSky-Hi Daily News May 8, 2008

    Denver Water may be owning up to the impacts its water diversions have had on Grand County water sources.

    At the State of the River meeting hosted by the Colorado River District in Granby on Tuesday, Denver Water Manager Chips Barry commented the water supplier is working to “mitigate the past” as it takes care of the future.

    The statement comes as Denver Water seeks to develop 18,000 acre-feet per year of new water to Denver users by developing a Moffat collection system.

http://www.skyhidailynews.com/article/20080508/NEWS/630773938