Funds for two area water projects are included in the omnibus bill now moving toward the White House after passage Tuesday by the U.S. Senate. The bill would provide $600,000 for continued planning of the Arkansas Valley Conduit and $149,000 to complete the Fountain Creek Watershed Plan, according to U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar, D-Colo. The $330 million Arkansas Valley Conduit is a proposal by the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District to bring a drinking water source to 42 communities serving 50,000 people east of Pueblo. The conduit earlier received authorization for $79 million through the Water Resources and Development Act, but not funding. The $600,000 would come through the State and Tribal Assistance Grant program of the Environmental Protection Agency and would be used to develop preliminary plans for the conduit.

To view the full article, visit the Pueblo Chieftain. 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.