Hermosa Creek Workgroup Meeting 13 Summary April 7 2009 Draft

Home Browse Search

Hermosa Creek Workgroup Meeting #13 Summary April 7, 2009 (draft) Meeting summaries: The March meeting summary was approved with one change. Discussion of scenarios: Facilitator Marsha Porter -Norton provided clarification on some of the scenarios that had been listed at the March meeting. Scenario #4, "A basin -wide framework/umbrella concept," has been renamed the "tiered approach." Credit goes to Ed Zink for providing this scenario. Its concept remains the same: Some things would be managed at the local level, perhaps by a citizens or county group. Other elements, such as water, would be managed at the state level, and the land mass would be managed at the federal level — meaning through federal legislation, not simply by the San Juan National Forest staff. It would be a flexible approach under one umbrella. Marsha also clarified that Scenario #5, Wild and Scenic River ( "WSR ") designation, means only a WSR. Likewise, #6, Wilderness, means only designating a wilderness area. Also, it should be noted that Scenario #7, to create a National Scenic Area, Natural Resource Area, or National Conservation Area, is also partly contained in Scenario #1, which has a National Conservation Area designation included. Discussion of WSR designation: Tonight the group delved into Scenario #5, WSR designation. A dialogue panel of Chuck Wanner and Meghan Maloney, both of the San Juan Citizens Alliance, and Bruce Whitehead and Steve Fearn, both with the Southwestern Water Conservation District ( "SWCD "), discussed this option. Bruce said he does not believe the SWCD has taken a position on any of the scenarios /proposals, although the future of the Hermosa Creek Area was discussed at the last SWCD meeting. Concern was raised about how a WSR designation might hinder future water use, whether for irrigation, consumptive or non - consumptive uses, or other purposes. The SWCD's mission is to look at existing and future water supply and needs within district boundaries. A major concern of the district and the Colorado Water Conservation Board ( "CWCB "), which Bruce also represents, remains the federal reserved water right ( "FRWR ") that a WSR designation historically carries. Bruce said a FRWR means local and state control have been lost. This seems contrary to the state constitution, which says, "the right to appropriate un- appropriated water in the state of Colorado shall never be denied." He said WSRs have not often been designated in and regions because there is such a need for that water. In Bruce's understanding, a WSR would limit future development. It would limit impediments and could limit diversions. It could even