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Pine River Times News Paper - Bayfield Colorado Page 2 of 10 • they'd probably need water court approval to extend service outside the Pine River Valley. Bob Witt and Steve Pargin referred to 500 acre feet needed for the rural system. They said that was available. Joe Brown cited the water vultures again. Lots of downstream users would pay big bucks for valley water, he said. "I have this government fellow constantly telling me how I am going to use this water for the squawfish. It's pretty obvious to me that either we get into the water business, show a broader use of the water, or give it to the squawfish. They will take it." Brown also said, "I have a Department of Interior document that says I will price this water to ensure conservation," meaning too expensive for irrigators. "We have to show more beneficial use of the water, or they are going to take it from us. This cost thing is one way." Public comments back then included concern about the impact on other water users, especially in dry years. 1996 - At the annual meeting, water engineer Steve Harris said PRID had allocated 2,000 acre feet of storage water per year for non - irrigation use, enough to serve 10,000 to 15,000 people. He predicted a rural system would actually need around 160 AF per year. The 2,000 AF would be 1 percent of the amount of irrigation water in a normal year, and 2 percent in a dry year, Harris said. He and Joe Brown gave reasons for the system, including keeping control of "excess" water so other entities wouldn't get it, giving non - irrigators more stake in what happens to Vallecito water, and profiting from much higher charges to non -ag users. PRID directors proposed creating a separate entity, a coop, to build and operate the system. Shareholders approved appointing a committee to write by -laws for the new entity, and they authorized PRID to provide front money to the new entity, to be paid back later. The motion specified that the new entity's board would be PRID shareholders. The motion was approved with a show of hands, with no "no" votes, although it didn't look like everyone voted "yes." PRID's only responsibility with the system would be to deliver the 2,000 AF. Shareholders would have to approve any increase over 2,000 AF. January 8, 1997 - At the annual PRID shareholder meeting, dam superintendent Joe Brown said Burec had held up Vallecito Water Company while A /LP alternatives were considered. A/LP opponents were trying to claim 45,000 acre feet of allegedly unused Vallecito water as an alternative to A/LP. PRID director Bob Witt said PRID and VWC were doing two plans to achieve a rural water system, one with Burec and one without. VWC rep Chris Kramer said there's 206,000 AF of flow for irrigation in a good year and 105,000 AF in the worst year at that point, 1977. Compared to that, 2,000 AF is nothing, he said. Irrigators will never miss it in a dry year, Witt said. It equals 2.6 cfs, he said. He introduced a resolution to designate 2,000 AF of storage to supply VWC. It was approved 11,426.76 shares to 341 shares. This is the vote that was overturned in October 2003. http:/ /www.pinerivertimes.com/news.asp ?artid =550 9/3/200$