Congressman John Salazar today announced that the United States House of Representatives has passed and sent to the Senate a bill he sponsored to save a critical water infrastructure for the residents of the Mancos Valley and Mesa Verde National Park.

The bill, known as HR 3437, The Jackson Gulch Rehabilitation Act of 2007, is needed to extend the life of the aging Mancos Project on the Mancos River north of Mancos in Montezuma County. The Jackson Gulch reservoir supplies water to the town of Mancos, the Mancos Water Conservancy District, the Mancos Rural Water Company and is the sole supplier of municipal water for Mesa Verde National Park. The project provides irrigation water for over 13,000 acres. Salazar’s bill passed the full House by voice vote.

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