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-The Pueblo Chieftain Online <br />By Rep. John Salazar <br />Page 1 of 2 <br />Salazar lays out his water agenda to protect <br />agriculture <br />By PETER ROPER <br />THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN <br />State Rep. John Salazar, D- Manassa, said this week he would work in Congress <br />to establish a federally funded water easement program to allow farmers and <br />ranchers to protect agricultural water from being sold for development or out - <br />of -basin transfers. <br />Speaking to the Colorado Water Congress in Snowmass on Thursday, Salazar <br />sketched in his philosophy on water issues facing the 3rd Congressional District. <br />Salazar is running against Republican Greg Walcher for the seat being vacated <br />by retiring Rep. Scott McInnis, R -Colo. <br />Salazar pointed to his own credentials as co- chairman of the group that defeat- <br />ed Referendum A on the November ballot last year. It would have authorized <br />bonding up to $2 billion for unspecified water - storage projects. Salazar and <br />state Rep. Matt Smith, R -Grand Junction, led the opposition to the measure, <br />saying it was an overt effort to raid Western Slope water for Front Range cities. <br />The measure was soundly beaten statewide. <br />Walcher, the former director of the state Department of Natural Resources, was <br />an advocate for the measure, although he has tried to distance himself from it <br />since its defeat. Walcher narrowly defeated Smith for the GOP nomination in <br />the Republican primary after a campaign in which Smith attacked Walcher for <br />his support for Referendum A. <br />http: / /www. chieftain. com /print.php ?article= /Metro/1093633446/7 8/27/2004 <br />