Arkansas - Las Animas Sanitary Sewer System Improvements_Application

Home Browse Search

October 25, 2007 Mr. Jay Winner Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservancy District 801 Swink Ave Rocky Ford, Colorado 81067-1237 Dear Jay: As the municipalities representative for Bent County on the Colorado Roundtable, I wholeheartedly submit my endorsement of the City of Las Animas' Water System Improvements application in addition to the City of Las Animas' Wastewater Collection System Improvements application to the Colorado Water Conservation Board. The City of Las Animas as with many of the communities up and down the Lower Arkansas River Valley are having to address their aging and deteriorating infrastructure. This financial burden is in addition to the recent losses of several of the largest employers located around Las Animas. The area's municipalities and counties are trying structure themselves to bring in new employers, industry and good paying jobs while trying to maintain the current employment base. These projects better enable Las Animas to do just that. Furthermore, the scope of the project. as presented in these two applications are economically out of reach for Las Animas to implement with just its resources. The projects are a necessity to serve both the current population base as well as aiding in spurring on revitalization. Both the water system and wastewater collection system projects are an integral part to the expansion of the local and regional economy. The economic benefit not only impacts the City of Las Animas, but also benefits Bent, Otero, and Prowers Counties in addition to all of the municipalities and special district's located between and including the Cities of La Junta and Lamar. The job creation that these applications represent is a significant boost to the local and regional economy. They are especially needed in an area that is as economically depressed as the Lower Arkansas River Valley. When the projects have been completed, they will result in an increase in the city's potable water supply, reduce detrimental impacts to area's ground water quality as well as reduce the amount of potable water lost through the city's system. I appreciate your consideration for these applications and look forward working with you to see these projects become reality. Sincerely, ~~tJ~ Frank Wallace Municipalities Representative to the Roundtable Bent County cc: City of Las Animas