Southeastern Coloraodo Water Conservancy District 2002 Annual Report

Home Browse Search

Alan Hamel President - Pueblo 2000 -2004 Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District Helping to Meet Your Water Needs Since 1958 President's Letter 2002 A Year of Challenge and Change The Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District (District) faced many challenges in 2002, but none more challenging than the record - setting drought. Records will reflect 2002 as the driest year in documented history, and some scientists and engineers claim it is the driest in 300 years. The District entered the year with Project water storage levels down, because of the back -to -back dry years. To put the drought in perspective for the District, we estimate our transmountain diversions for the Fryingpan- Arkansas Project to be at 70,000 acre -feet annually and we have allocated in our history up to 60,000 acre -feet in one year. In 2002, we had 11,000 acre- feet to allocate, with 152,000 acre -feet of requests - a true challenge. There were turnovers both on the Board and in the general manager's position. Steve Arveschoug submitted his letter of resignation to accept a position with the Dolores Water Conservancy District, relocating himself and his family to Cortez, Colorado. As the District manager for the past seven years, Steve was instrumental in the creation of the Preferred Storage Options Plan - a plan to develop much - needed water storage capacity to serve the nine- county service area of the District. Steve's leadership will definitely be missed, but he has left with the Board an important vision for the long -term storage needs of our District. The Board initiated an in -depth and extended search for a new general manager, from that search, James Broderick, a Pueblo native, was hired in November. Jim served as a Tucson City employee for more than twenty years, with sixteen of those years in administration and management, and twelve of those years with their Water Department. We are excited to have Jim on board! Several Board changes also occurred. Harold Miskel was sworn in as a replacement for the vacancy created by Ray Nixon's death following Ray's long and distinguished service with the District. In April, Denzel Goodwin and Bob Schrader were each reappointed for additional four -year terms. New appointments to the Board included: Bill Long (Bent County); Wally Stealey (Pueblo County); and Lou Mellini (El Paso County). Lou resigned after a short time on the Board, and his position was filled by John O'Donnell, representing El Paso County. This was certainly a year of CHANGE. During 2002, our PSOP legislation (HR3881) stalled in Congress. This was brought about by unsettled issues with the cities of Pueblo and Aurora. Solving the concerns will require compromise from all parties, and only then will it advance in 2003. This legislation is vital, and its success is necessary to see our dream and 40 -year plan for additional storage and better operation of our existing Project become a reality. In closing, the past year was truly one of challenge and change. If we learned anything from the record drought and 2002, it is that this valley needs to collaborate more than ever. What is needed is to put in place a water supply and storage plan that will meet the next drought and sustain our cities, farms, ranches, and businesses; allowing for future growth of our great valley and the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District. •2•