Statewide Water Supply Initiatives
May 17, 2008--Roundtable praised, but more work needed, say members (Pueblo Chieftain)
Even though the Arkansas Basin Roundtable got high marks from the state’s top water official this week, some of its members think it should be doing more. Harris
January 2, 2007--Gunnison Water District Members Voice Concern of Pending Bill (Grand Junction Daily Sentinel)
Members of the Gunnison River Water Conservancy District are not happy about plans to study pumping water out of Blue Mesa Reservoir to the Front Range. Currently, there is a pending bill that would set aside $500,000 to evaluate water projects, including tapping Blue Mesa Reservoir. Concerns include the Statewide Water Supply Inititative (SWSI) leaving the District out of the planning process and that this is not a good use of taxpayer money, particularly when there's no certainty the water is available. Another concern relates to the federal reserve water rights for the Gunnison River (which feeds the reservoir) in Black Canyon and an impact study by the Bureau of Reclamation that may include Blue Mesa as a source of water to meet the needs of downstream endangered species of fish.
