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The Pueblo Chieftain Online <br />Page 2 of 2 <br />r s <br />Reynolds further noted that with a reduced amount of available water, the <br />eastern communities might have to acquire additional water on their own to <br />make the conduit fully operational. <br />"That changes the financing of the project," Reynolds said. "Those are some <br />serious issues that need to be addressed in this study." <br />Several at the table asked whether the study could affect Allard's pending <br />legislation, and whether the district's support of the conduit was tied to its <br />Preferred Storage Options Plan, which Allard has not endorsed. <br />"He's completely committed to getting on with this," said Ray Kogovsek, the <br />district's lobbyist. "This will have no impact on his enthusiasm for the project." <br />Similar sentiments were expressed by Doris Morgan of Allard's Pueblo office, <br />who also serves on the outreach subcommittee. <br />"Those are two separate pieces of legislation, and an entirely separate process," <br />Kogovsek said. "There's no connection between the two; they stand or fall on <br />their own." <br />Committee member and Southeastern board member Bill Long of Las Animas <br />reaffirmed the district' support of the conduit and the need for the study. <br />"If in fact the study shows that we need more water or whatever, we will make <br />every effort to make sure that we do what's required to make the conduit a <br />reality," Long said. "My personal opinion is that the better numbers you have, <br />the better you can sell your project." <br />After additional discussion, Reynolds agreed to include in the new financial <br />study the operating costs, the cost of alternatives and possibly the availability <br />of agricultural water that could be leased for the pipeline and the potential of <br />exchanging it to Lake Pueblo. <br />The study is to be completed by the Sept. 16 meeting of the Southeastern <br />district board. <br />"It's time to calm down, set aside our narrow differences and realize the <br />number of benefits from developing something like the conduit," Long said. <br />"The conduit is good for everyone." <br />©1996- 2004The Pueblo Chieftain Online <br />http: / /www. chieftain .com /print.php ?article= /metro /1092204000/10 8/11/2004 <br />