[EDITORIAL] Transmountain water diversions from the Western Slope to the Front Range, particularly prospective transmountain water diversions...[typically generates controversy]. Members of the Gunnison Basin Water Rountable met in Montrose to discuss a possible new state-funded study to analyze pumping water out of the 900,000 acre-foot Blue Mesa Reservoir to the Front Range generally expressed the near-universal Western Slope [negative] sentiment about the idea. A decidedly different note, however, was sounded by one roundtable member [Catlin] who berated his fellow roundtable members for expressing this region's historic antipathy about transmountain water diversions and flatly said that he'd rather see Blue Mesa water used in Denver rather than flowing through the Gunnison Gorge to benefit the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and other downstream water interests, including Delta and Grand Junction.

For a copy of the original article contact the WIP at (970) 247-1302 or stop by the office at 841 East Second Avenue in Durango.