Arveschoug; Aurora should be Excluded from Reservoir Project: Pueblo Chieftain

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Arveschoug: Aurora should be excluded from reservoir project http: / /www. chieftain .com /print.php3 ?story=2 The Pueblo Chieftain Online Select file then print to print this article. Publish Date Monday September 17, 2001 Arveschoug: Aurora should be excluded from reservoir project By MARY JEAN PORTER The Pueblo Chieftain The latest proposal being discussed by the City of Aurora and the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District excludes Aurora from participation in the enlargement of Pueblo Reservoir. "I had recommended that before the last (district board) meeting, to give an idea where I thought we should go," district manager Steve Arveschoug said late last week. "I really believe it is in our best interest to stay focused on the needs of the district. There's a lot of work ahead: two federal feasibility studies, the (National Environmental Policy Act) process, an environmental impact study. "Until we really know where we are going, it's difficult to think about letting Aurora participate." Arveschoug said the latest proposal still is in the concept stage and has not yet been approved by the conservancy district board or the Aurora city council. It will be presented at the next district board meeting at 9:30 a.m. Thursday at the district office, 31717 United Ave. "Working with Aurora, I've been trying to draft an agreement that would not allow them to participate, but still with the idea they could do 'if and when' storage. They still would like a long -term contract (for 'if and when')." Aurora could not use this "if and when" storage to transfer any new water out of the basin, Arveschoug said. It could use it only for its existing water rights and ones that are in the process of being negotiated. In the future, Aurora's leasing of water from this basin through some type of water bank could be considered. "Readers need to understand, when Aurora uses the project, it is if and when (there is space available). It is subordinate to all other uses. Aurora's water is the first to spill." Arveschoug said he thinks Aurora is the only out -of- district entity that stores water in the Fryingpan - Arkansas system. "Also, they would pay more for use of the (Fry -Ark) project. They would pay some up -front compensation to the district. The idea is it would be used to benefit the Arkansas Valley somehow - repayment for the project and other things as well - all getting to the argument there is great value to the proj ect." The compensation being discussed is $2.25 million - $1 million of it up front, and $50,000 a year for 20 years. Also being discussed, he said, is the rate Aurora pays to store water in Fry -Ark Project reservoirs. "If you look at the 15 -year history (of Aurora's storage), from 1986 to the present with the exception of of 2 9/17/014:58 PM