County Steps Back From Breaking City's Water Claim

Home Browse Search

County steps back from backing city's water claim Page 1 of 2 The Pueblo Chieftain Online Select file then print to print this article. Publish Date Wednesday July 3rd, 2002 County steps back from backing city's water claim By PETER ROPER The Pueblo Chieftain City Council's lonely campaign to establish a recreational water flow in the Downtown section of the Arkansas River got a little lonelier after the Pueblo County commissioners declined to endorse the city's claim. The commissioners have sent a letter to council urging the city to reach an agreement with the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District and other parties in the dispute over the river flow through the city. Council had asked the commissioners for a letter of support for the city's claim in water court that it be granted a minimum flow of 100 cubic feet per second during the winter months and as much as 500 cfs during the summer months. Specifically, the city is focusing on the flow in the stretch of the river through the Downtown. Officials from the Southeastern district and other partners in a plan to expand Pueblo Reservoir have opposed the city's water claim, saying it would ultimately cost the partners - including the Pueblo Board of Water Works - additional storage space in the reservoir. Those groups also asked the commissioners for a letter of support for the legislation in Congress that would authorize a study of expanding the reservoir. The commissioners endorsed the reservoir expansion project in their letter to the city, saying a voluntary agreement was better than "litigation- driven confrontations that bring enormous expense in money and lost time." Commission Chairman Matt Peulen acknowledged the letter was not the endorsement council was looking for, but said the answer to the water conflict is in a compromise. "There are so many issues that are involved in this debate over water that there isn't just one answer," Peulen said. "We support the city in trying to protect the historic flow in the river but we also support the expansion of the reservoir." In fact, the two issues are not in conflict, except that council has refused to endorse the federal legislation calling for a study of the reservoir's expansion until the Southeastern district and other partners have guaranteed a minimum flow in the Downtown. The city's refusal has stalled the legislation because Sen. Wayne Allard and Rep. Scott Mclnnis, have indicated they will not push the legislation until the dispute is resolved. Council President Mike Occhiato said he was disappointed the commissioners did not endorse the city's position. Council claims that the latest offer from Southeastern and the other partners does not guarantee an adequate water flow in the Downtown. http://www.chieftain.com/print/wednesday/news/arficles/nil.htm 7/7/2002 9' 82T809asu. IaiSTW *3 PIo -leH e9fb :GO Z0 00 inr