Laserfiche WebLink
Glen Porzak I think that's a fair question and that's the so- called Fruita argument. That if Fruita builds a <br />kayak course a then it will have in fact the issue that was originally raised by the CWCB staff memo is <br />that let's say Las Vegas comes in and supports the construction or that type of thing. I again believe that <br />existing law can deal with those kinds of situations and that instance I think anti - exportation statute is <br />more than adequate to deal with that factual situation and could shut down that kind of course. I also think <br />it <br />Greg Walcher How would you use that to shut down the course if you are actually using the recreational <br />flow in the state of Colorado? <br />Glen Porzak Again I think it would largely go to what the intent may uh would be in a given factual <br />setting and whether or not there is that kind of usage that is there. And that's <br />Greg Walcher But I am not talking about conspiracy theory I talking about the growth and economic <br />importance of rafting and boating in Colorado. Which is big, big economics and I think there's a <br />possibility at least that rafting through Westwater canyon may be big economics in Mesa county. <br />Glen Porzak Again you are going to have to look, first of all rafting is a very different beast I guess. Its <br />not a kayak course it's comparing apples to oranges. But again my response would be what if Public <br />Service builds a hybrid of the Shoshone power plant right at that location? You have already got that <br />situation. What if there's a large -scale agricultural diversion that may not be particularly judicious in <br />terms of its use of water? And there's a lot of return flows off of a water diversion and they go out past <br />the state line. Got that situation already under existing law and judge can deal with it in the context of all <br />the different arsenals that are at the disposal of enterprising water attorneys in terms of limiting scope of a <br />water right. You also have to look at the specific intent involved in dealing with an initiation of an <br />appropriation in this situation. And I don't think its fair to paint a broad brush and say oh because there <br />might be a limited situation that could hypothetically exist, that could exist with a whole host of other <br />water rights therefore we have got to throw out the baby with the bath water. <br />Greg Walcher No, I am not saying that and I understand that exceptional situations make bad law. But <br />what I am saying there is a legitimate purpose for recreational flow in a river as you have suggested and <br />that legitimate purpose may apply just as well at the state line as it does in the Vail Valley. My question <br />is. Does that have the potential effect of guaranteeing Colorado's unused water to Las Vegas or California <br />forever? <br />Glenn - Theoretically yes practically no. And I would put my money with recreational flow recreational <br />diversions as being far less danger than we saw recently with filings that were initiated for the fish at the <br />state line. <br />EW I have got Steve over here, we are going I think going to spend a little bit more time here for a <br />minute. <br />Steve Glazer — I want everyone in the room to hear that on this issue I have no complaints with what <br />Glen has said. Glen, I don't know I think Greg and I need to agree about this. <br />Steve Glazer I also want to suggest that are other answers to Greg's questions. What is more important <br />adherence to the Colorado Constitution that says the right to divert shall never denied for beneficial uses? <br />Is that more important than the compact? But in answer to your question about the compact I think um I <br />think the issue is, or one aspect of that is anybody can divert water at the state line for depletions <br />14 <br />