Aurora Signs Truce in Water War: Denver Post

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THE DENVER POST A B C D E Thursday, November 1. 2001 M ETRO Aurora signs truce in. `water war' By Sean Kelly Denver Post Staff Writer Aurora has reached a milestone agreement in its controversial efforts to transfer water from the Rocky Ford Ditch, promising more than $5 million in assistance to southeastern Colorado to secure the deal. The city this week signed agreements with Otero County and the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District. The district manages the water supply for nine counties including Otero. The deals make Aurora a partner with the two and could prevent years of legal hassles. "I think it's meant to send the signal that we're just tired of fighting," said Doug Kemper, Aurora's acting utility $5 million in aid heads off legal disputes director. "Fighting these water wars is draining financially and in terms of en- ergy and time. "There certainly has been some re- sentment, so this solution is extremely important." Residents in southeastern Colorado feared Aurora's purchase of more than 5,000 acre -feet of ditch water from area farmers would devastate the economy of Otero County and the town of Rocky Ford. One acre -foot is roughly enough for a family of five for a year. Although Aurora is not required by law to cushion the effects on the area; the city has pledged the money to lessen the impact. The deal is likely to set pre- cedent for future water transfers, said Steve Arveschoug, general manager of the conservancy district. "When water is moved, what's left behind is dried land," Arveschoug said. "We're the part of the state impacted by the transfer, but this is a turning point." Otero County will withdraw its objec- tion to Aurora's transfer of the water, and the conservancy district has agreed to reach a similar settlement by early next year. The district also will support Auro- ra's push for federal legislation to com- plete the transfer. To placate the conservancy distx ct, Aurora will pay it $1 million up front and another $1.25 million over 25 years once the agreement is enacted. Aurora will pay Otero County $125,000 for an expansion study of4fie Fryingpan- Arkansas project hod $35,000 a year beginning in 2003 to re- place lost tax revenue on the land =l}at will be taken out of agriculture. Those payments will continue for up to 90 years. Aurora also will develop a land use plan for the 4,100 acres it owns in the county and will maintain the ditch's drainage system.