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The Steamboat Pilot: City asked to look at recreation water rights 0002J3 Page 1 of2 The Steamboat Pilot ARCHIVED STORIES City asked to look at recreation water rights By Christine Metz, Staff Reporter Thursday, May 29, 2003 As the Yampa River is over-flowing its banks, the city is being asked to take steps to make sure it does not dry up. advertisement A recent state Supreme Court ruling and six-month time- frame brought former City Councilman Ken Brenner before the city's Parks and Recreation Commission on Wednesday night. Unknown position. He pleaded for the city to pick up the pace in its research on recreation water rights and asked the commission to look closely at the city appointed water attorneys, who have argued against some of the state's biggest recreation water rights cases. "The time is critical to move ahead now," Brenner said. "We owe it to our children, grandchildren and the people who will live here 100 years from now to persevere the integrity of our river." Having recreational water rights would establish a minimum in-stream flow in the Yampa River as it runs through Steamboat, protecting the river habitat and providing water needed for kayaking, fishing and tubing. Under the state's first-in-time, first-in-right water law, if the city received recreational water rights, It would not have to worry about the Yampa's water levels dropping as water rights are later acquired for developments and agricultural uses upstream. City Councilman Steve Ivancie said those water rights already are starting to be purchased. "I do think it is important that we step up and start looking at this issue very carefully," Ivancie said. "We all know, especially after a drought like last year, that people are thinking and buying water. And we know what an important resource water is." On May 19, the state Supreme Court passed a 3-3 decision to recognize recreational water rights, which would allow Golden, Vail and Breckenridge to fill its rivers for whitewater kayaking courses. Brenner said that decision shines favorably on the city acquiring recreational water rights. But when the state Legislature reconvenes in January, laws could be put in place that prohibit recreational water rights. That scenario gives Steamboat a six-month window to file for water rights. In the past two years the city has spent $90,000 on river management plans and $50,000 on river improvements. Parks and Recreation Director Chris Wilson said his department also has been researching recreational water rights for about two years. The issue could get complicated for the city, which takes water out of the river for watering its ball fields and golf courses and for making snow. The city may oppose acquiring recreational water rights if towns upstream, such as Oak Creek, would ask for rights, http://www.steamboatpilot.comlsectionl archi ve/storypr/l 73 5 8 4/23/2004