Jackson Campaigns Against Out-of-Basin Water Transfers: Pueblo Chieftain

• Description: Jackson Campaigns Against Out-of-Basin Water Transfers: Pueblo Chieftain
• State: CO
• Date: 3/24/2001
• Author: Amos, James
• Title: Jackson Campaigns Against Out-of-Basin Water Transfers: Pueblo Chieftain
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: News Article/Press Release

e Pueblo Chieftain Online - Wednesday April 04, 2001
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noting, "I have some property I don't want taken
from me." But limiting water sales to within a
basin won't break farmers and others who own
water rights, he said.
"The values may be temporarily affected, but
water will become more valuable."
Jackson said the sales are devastating to the basin
of origin because the water is gone forever,
leaving behind land fit only to be "a weed patch."
Local governments are affected by water sales
because they lose property taxes form irrigated
farms and the economic vitality of farm jobs and
ag- related businesses, he said. "I don't think
there's enough mitigation in the world to make up
for the loss of water from a basin," he said.
Jackson, who served almost 20 years on the
Colorado Water Conservation Board, said it costs
too much money for basins to fight a water
transfer.
"How many times can the little San Luis Valley
raise the money to fight the (water raiders) and
those that come later ?" he asked.
Jackson said he opposes even leasing water out of
the state because he assumes it will never return.
He said a proposal to lease Colorado River water
to Las Vegas, Nev., will only make residents there
dependent on the water.
"Fifteen, 20 years later, are we going to take that
water back ?" he asked. "Not in a pig's eye."
Water quality is not now a major factor in water
transfer decision, Jackson said. Water officials
must address the negative effects that transfers
have on water quality, because poor quality water
hurts agriculture and increases water treatment
costs for those left behind.
Jackson's measure would have a 50 -year life,
allowing the state's residents to decide whether or
not to continue it after that.
Jackson said the amendment would have to be
referred to voters by the legislature or by citizen
initiative. The legislature hasn't acted on the
matter and Jackson said he is 1985,000" short of
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