Mr. Million’s time warp
Dear Editors,
Last week, Missy’s opinion started with recalling a wonderful river trip, one I could relate to having rafted that section during the 2010 peak water run off. Incredible water, incredible geology, incredible experience. But, as we know, the river is so much more than a good time. It’s our lifeblood and it has a new threat, Mr. Million’s water pipeline scheme as Missy detailed in her article.

 

Seems like I barely finished that article, when an e-mail arrived from the High Country Citizens’ Alliance discussing Mr. Million’s scheme and asking for support in convincing the Colorado Water Conservation Board not to spend $150,000 on studying the feasibility of a surefire boondoggle.

 

To recap: a speculator, one Mr. Million, is proposing a 578 mile, er 560 mile, perhaps 520 mile long “Flaming Gorge Pipeline.” Like so much else about the scheme the exact numbers are pretty dodgy. The pipeline would siphon off a quarter of the Green River’s flow and pump it from the

 

Flaming Gorge Reservoir to the thirsty Eastern Slope. As an afterthought apparently a hydroelectric project has now been added to the bill of goods. Seems that would make approval easier.

 

Yes the Eastern Slope is getting thirsty, but is this a solution? Consider the unassailable fact that the Green River water resource is already being squeezed. Mind you, the Green River is receiving less rain water, on the order of 20 percent less, than the figure upon which water allocation agreements were originally based.

 

Mr. Million suggests it’s reasonable to base his arguments on the ancient’s estimated flow of 1.18 million acre-feet annually, although for the past couple decades the river has been averaging around 0.97 million acre-feet.

 

Add to that a wide range of climatological studies, all indicating that we must prepare for less rain and river water these next decades, and it seems incomprehensible that someone could in good faith suggest such a scheme.

 

But, water isn’t Mr Million’s worst problem, fatal though it may be. Million claims a $3 billion price tag and plenty of backers, wink, wink. Who are the backers? Well Million has also been pretty dodgy about those specifics. Of course, a review of such mega-projects makes clear that these early estimates are little more than liars’ poker, and we should realistically expect the cost to spiral once the legal battles, digging and unexpected surprises of trenching and building over the Great Divide start multiplying.

 

And none of this even touches on the massive ecological damages and upheaval such a venture would trigger. It seems like Mr. Million is in a time warp and refuses to look at the realities of the day. The sad fact of our brave new world is that the Eastern Slope simply needs to learn to make due with what they have. As Missy pointed out: “(time to) usher in a new era of innovation and cooperation. Approaches like water-leasing, water reuse, conservation and cooperation...”

 

Why waste 150,000 tax payer dollars to “study” these glaringly fatal flaws in this smooth talker’s proposal? Well, that’s exactly the question before the Colorado Water Conservation Board on Sept. 13, 2011.

 

If their decision on this matter concerns you, please visit http://StopFlamingGorgePipeline.org to sign the petition to be presented to the CWCB at its meeting (it must be signed before Sept. 9). Also, at http://NO VillageAtWolfCreek.blogspot.com/ there’s a post listing articles and other information supporting claims made in this letter.
 

Don’t risk a valuable vote
Dear Editors,
Aug. 26, now designated Women’s Equality Day, marks the 91st anniversary of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, which grants women the right to vote. The nonpartisan League of Women Voters of La Plata County celebrates this event every day by working in La Plata County to engage more local citizens in the electoral process.

 

What important elections will need your informed vote this fall? First, all three county school districts have expiring board seats. Our LWV has organized candidate forums in October for each district with contested seats. Ignacio Schools also has a bonding question regarding renovation of school facilities. The Durango Fire and Rescue Authority anticipates a ballot issue on its funding, joining a La Plata Archuleta Water District issue and a Durango question on purchasing additional water from the Animas-La Plata Project.

 

The only state issue likely to be on the ballot would temporarily increase state sales and income taxes for five years to fund K-12 and higher education. Durango’s franchise agreement with La Plata Electric Association is currently due to go to the voters Dec. 6 but may be postponed.

 

The LWV plans educational forums on several of these issues.

 

These elections will be by mail ballot only. Are you registered to vote at your current address? Mail ballots cannot be forwarded if they go to an incorrect address. You must be listed as an active voter to receive a mail ballot.

 

Don’t risk wasting your valuable vote. Be sure you are listed properly in the county records. Go online to www.govotecolorado.com to register to vote, check your status and/or update your address. Or you can simply call 382-6296 or visit the county clerk’s office in Bodo Park. The last day to register for the Nov. 1 general election is Oct. 3.

 

Keep up to date on the LWV’s fall programs and activities at www.lwvlaplata.org . Celebrate Women’s Equality Day by making sure you’re ready to vote this fall.  
 

– Marilyn Sandstrom, League of Women Voters of La Plata County