Water Board: City Doesn't Qualify

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The Steamboat Pilot: Water board: City doesn't qualify Page 1 of 3 43° Partly ns Cloudy By Dana Stronain THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2005 Current conditions STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — THE COLORADO WATER CONSERVATION "M 7 day forecast - BOARD says it has evidence that the city of Steamboat Springs is asking for I too much water in its recreational water right application. C eh nsm In December 2003, the city applied for a recreational water right that would =' j C—tiw ensure a minimum stream flow for activities such as tubing and kayaking. By state law, the water right will be granted only if the city shows that it is asking -NOVX551 for the minimum amount of water needed to provide a "reasonable recreational y Community experience." Order a.._fri Calendar City officials also must show that the sections of the Yampa River included in Reader Forum the request -- kayaking holes Cand D -- are being used for recreation, a Groups & Clubs concept called "reach." Those recreational uses also should be the maximum, or best, use of water as a resource.' Find a new home 46 war Sections A state water board official said board members heard testimony Tuesday that showed the city's filing does not meet those requirements. Board staff member Ted Kowalski said Wednesday that he and other staff members listened to experts who interviewed people about that section of river and whether people canoe, kayak, tube and raft there. ` Front page The experts said people put in their rafts upstream, Kowalski said. That would Classifieds mean the city's reach requirement is not met. Service Directory - The reach identified is not appropriate reach for that recreational experience Public Notices sought," he said. News The city also had gathered input from people who use the river for recreation, Sports Kowalski said, but they have not shared that information with the board. He Obituaries said the board filed a motion within the past few days to have more information Births provided about the city's research. Viewpoints City Attorney Tony Lettunich and City Manager Paul Hughes said they did not Dining Guide know what happened during Tuesday's water board hearing. Glenn Porzak, the - -- city's water attorney, was in meetings Wednesday and could not be reached for Style comment. Outdoors A trial about the city's water right application is scheduled for the week of Oct.]f3 S7 The Record 17 in District Water Court. Business -- To reach Dana Strongin, call 871 -4229 or e -mail Real Estate News dstrongin@steamboatpilot.com. Properties� Four Points } South Routt West Routt More in New Education Women of Northwest Colorado Weddings Engagements http:// www. steamboatpilot. com /section/frontpage_lead/story /32727 9/22/2005 Weather Story see Water b City doesn't qualify More sez