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<br /> <br />000209 <br /> <br />Quarterly Newsletter October, 2000 Volume 5, Issue 4 <br /> <br />Colora~~:iJl[""ter Co1lillrfin/flilfiifjtJarJ HearJ <br />jro11l tbe SoutbweJt Corner <br /> <br />Senior staff from the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) and Southwestern Water <br />Conservation Board members from this region took a grass roots tour in September,~~Ollth.\V~t <br />Board member and President of the Dolores Water Conservan!:;YDonSchwindt putit,~'Weare <br />here to have a dialog with you folks." Community meetings held in Pagosa Springs, Durango, Dolores~>.... ....../ <br />and Norwood provided rich input for the CWCB's efforts to develop fact sheets for each basin as well as identay. <br />important issues to consider when revising its Long Range Plan. The fact sheets, which cover everything from major <br />storage projects in each basin to wet and dry periods, endangered species issues and Colorado Compact facts, are <br />intended to help the communities and Board communicate relevant water facts and issues. A secondary purpose is <br />response to recent state legislative activity that could potentially change the composition of the Board to reflect <br />population and divert water from the Western Slope to the Front Range. Neither bill has gone far, but this type of <br />maneuvering alerted the CWCB to the need for greater contact with the Western Slope communities. <br /> <br />The meetings allowed people to hear from senior staff about each CWCB program area, and th~ stafI"to learn l110l'e <br />about community concerns. True to the nature of Southwest communities, each meeting had a different flavor and <br />varied issues. All communities want agriculture to remain strong and to a large extent that is dependent on access to <br />raw water. This desire is often perceived in conflict with those who are also concerned about quality fishing waters and <br />recreational boating. Federal Reserve water rights are also a major concern for southwestern Colorado water users. <br />Negotiations are underway for this region and the outcome could have dramatic effects on water available for agriculture. <br />The CWCB is heavily involved in those negotiations and encouraging the federal agencies to rely on the state's Stream <br />and Lake Protection Program for meeting instream flow needs. <br /> <br />Water developers, rafters, environmentalists, and fishermen have historically been at odds over the best use of water. <br />But, John Van Sciver, CWCB Senior Staff Member over Water Supply Planning and Finance, noted that more common <br />ground is appearing. "In one case on the Platte River, a diversion project intended to augment summer water flows for <br />agriculture actually ended up creating wetlands also. That brought in significant funding from Ducks Unlimited and <br />wetlands groups," he said. "People think that there is nothing in common, but there are examples of the water community <br />reaching out to the environmental community in a cooperative way." <br /> <br />The following senior staff can be contacted about each program area at 303-866-3441. <br /> <br />Larry Lang, Flood Protection larry.lang@state.cous <br />Randy Seaholm, Water Supply Protection randy.seaholm@state.co.us <br />John Van Sciver, Water Supply Planning and Finance john.vansciver@state.co.us <br />Dan Merriman, Stream and Lake Protection dan.merriman@state.co.us <br />Catherine Shrier, Water Conservation Planning cshrier@lamar.colostate.edu <br /> <br />The CWCB staff will take comments received into consideration when finalizing the fact sheets. For more information <br />or to provide input on the fact sheets contact Dan McAuliffe, CWCB Deputy Director, 1313 Sherman St., Room 721, <br />Denver, CO 80203. email: dan.mcauliffe@state.co.us~ by Carla Harper, Information Coordinator <br /> <br /> <br />In thiJ IJJue of the Water Letter <br /> <br />CWCB Hears from the Southwest Corner ........................ 1 Water Resource Index ....................................................... 3 <br />"Teachers Conservation Workshop" Letter ........................ 2 Did You Know? ................................................................. 3 <br />Water Information Program Update ................................. 2 Upcoming Feature Stories ................................................. 4 <br />Water Management & Conservation Plan ......................... 3 Events Calendar ................................................................ 4 <br />