Laserfiche WebLink
Mr. Bill McDonald <br /> July 27 , 1983 <br /> Page Two <br /> At the . 3rd quarterly meeting of the Board of Directors , <br /> Colorado River Water Conservation District, held on July 19 , <br /> • <br /> 1983 , the Board instructed me to write to you to express our <br /> concern with the possible legislation. The Board does not <br /> believe that the proposed legislation meets the purposes for <br /> which Ruedi Dam and Reservoir was constructed and, as a <br /> consequence, opposes the proposed legislation. <br /> As you know, the primary purposes of Ruedi Reservoir is <br /> as set forth in paragraph 7 of the Operating Principles and <br /> is to satisfy the provisions for the protection of western <br /> slope water uses , as set forth in C. R. S. 1973 37-45-118(1) <br /> (b) (IV) . That statute provides among other things that: <br /> "Any such works or facilities shall be designed, <br /> constructed, and operated in such manner that the <br /> present appropriations of water, and in addition <br /> thereto prospective uses of water for irrigation and <br /> other beneficial consumptive use purposes , including <br /> consumptive uses for domestic, mining, and industrial <br /> purposes , within the natural basin of the Colorado <br /> river in the state of Colorado, from which water is <br /> exported, will not be impaired nor increased in <br /> cost at the expense of the water users within the <br /> natural basin. " <br /> If, as the law provides the purpose of Ruedi Reservoir <br /> is to protect Western Colorado water users , then any surplus <br /> revenues must be used for that purpose. To require that <br /> Western Colorado be in competition with other water projects <br /> throughout the State of Colorado would be inequitable and <br /> illegal. <br /> The Board of Directors of the River District has also <br /> asked me to advise you that it would support legislation <br /> which would allow the surplus funds to fulfill the provisions <br /> of the aforesaid "compensatory storage" statute. <br /> We would ask that you advise your Board of the concerns <br /> expressed herein. We would hope that at your next Board <br /> meeting, we would have an opportunity to appear in person <br /> and express these same concerns to your Board. <br /> Thank you for your consideration in this matter and <br /> we will be looking forward to a scheduled time for our appear- <br /> ance before your Board at its next meeting. <br /> Very truly /you , <br /> DONALD H. HAMBURG,,--- - ---- <br /> General Counsel <br /> DBH/lmc <br /> cc: Board of Directors <br /> Mr. Bill E . Martin <br />