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<br />· Colorado Springs Vice Mayor Larry Small reviewed the city's sewer and <br />stormwater projects, its involvement with the Fountain Creek Vision Task Force <br />and its negotiations with the Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservancy District. <br />"We've gotten away from positions and are focusing on objectives," Small said. <br /> <br />. Pueblo West Utilities Director Steve Harrison said the growing community needs <br />more water storage, preferably through Lake Pueblo enlargement, because the <br />size of the community is expected to double to 60,000 in years to come. <br /> <br />· Pueblo Board of Water Works Director of Operations Terry Book said it is having <br />trouble negotiating with the Lower Ark District over the issue of a proposed <br />"Super Ditch" lease management-fallowing program the Lower Ark is <br />promoting. The water board wants to purchase its own water rights rather than <br />participate in a third-party leasing program, Book said. Also, the Lower Ark does <br />not support agreements the water board is legally bound to follow. <br /> <br />. Lake County Commissioner Ken Olsen asked for Salazar's help in converting <br />Twin Lakes and Turquoise Lake to state parks. Salazar suggested the state look <br />into the possibility, following the model of Lake Pueblo. Recreation at the lakes <br />currently is managed by the u.s. Forest Service and Lake County commissioners <br />believe plans have never been fully developed. <br /> <br />· Aurora Mayor Ed Tauer said the city is "not making as much progress as anyone <br />would like" in its negotiations with the Lower Ark. A major issue is whether <br />Aurora can obtain equal footing with in-basin entities in the proposed Super <br />Ditch. The Lower Ark has publicly challenged Aurora's proposed water storage <br />and lease contract with the Bureau of Reclamation. "Testimony (at a June 1 <br />congressional hearing) made litigation seem like a foregone conclusion." <br /> <br />. Pueblo City Council President Judy Weaver said the city's main concern remains <br />assurance that new water activities would not diminish flows through Pueblo. <br />She said controlling storm flows on Fountain Creek is of primary importance. "If <br />we don't do that, your Crown Jewel and other efforts of the Vision Task Force <br />can't be accomplished," Weaver told Salazar. <br /> <br />· Fountain Utilities Director Larry Patterson said the city pulled out of the plan to <br />study Lake Pueblo expansion in favor of buying up local ditch rights nearly three <br />years ago. The rapidly growing community is also working with other entities to <br />control stormwater, Patterson said. <br /> <br />24 <br />