Day: April 28, 2010

Governor Ritter appoints Alan Schwartz of Snowmass Village to the board of the Great Outdoors Colorado trust fund

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Here’s the release from the Governor’s office (Evan Dreyer/Megan Castle):

Gov. Bill Ritter announced today he has appointed Alan Schwartz of Snowmass Village to the board of the Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) Trust Fund. Schwartz, an attorney, has devoted much of his career to land preservation and natural resource conservation.

“Colorado is home to vast and unique environmental and outdoor treasures, and Alan is truly a stubborn steward of Colorado’s breathtaking natural heritage,” Gov. Ritter said. “The people of Colorado and the generations to follow will be well-served by having someone like Alan who is so passionate, dedicated and experienced on the GOCO board.”

Schwartz has served on the boards of the Colorado Conservation Trust and the Rocky Mountain chapter of Environmental Defense. He co-authored the “Danish Plan,” adopted by Boulder voters as one of the first growth-management plans in the country. He also served as special counsel to the City of Aspen, Town of Snowmass Village, Pitkin County and other Colorado municipalities in the creation, implementation and successful defense of some of the country’s most innovative land-use plans. He is married to state Sen. Gail Schwartz.

Created by Colorado voters in 1992, GOCO uses a portion of Lottery proceeds to help preserve, protect, enhance and manage Colorado’s wildlife, park, river, trail and open space heritage. It has awarded almost $550 million for more than 2,700 projects throughout the state.

Schwartz’s appointment to the 17-member GOCO board is for a term expiring April 15, 2013, and would fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of James S. Lochhead of Glenwood Springs. The appointment requires state Senate confirmation.

For more information about Colorado boards and commissions, or to obtain an application, visit the Boards and Commission website, e-mail boards@state.co.us or call 303.866.6380.

More conservation coverage here.

Many eyes are on the 1250 cfs Shoshone water right

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From the Sky-Hi Daily News (Tonya Bina):

Owned by Xcel Energy, the plant’s calls for water enhance stream flows in Grand County, benefit fish and river recreation such as rafting enterprises at Gore and Glenwood canyons, and maintain historic flows that help meet the needs of downstream towns and irrigators. The Shoshone Station generates 14 megawatts of “green” power from flows, each megawatt of which services 1,000 customers, including industry and business. The 1,250 cubic feet per second (cfs) of water the power plant uses is returned to the river to the benefit of others downstream. This nonconsumptive water use makes up about 20 percent of Colorado River flows carried out of the state in an average year…

During [the 10 months in 2007 when the Shoshone powerplant was offline], reservoir operators, stewards of the endangered fish program, The Colorado River Conservation District, the Bureau of Reclamation, the state’s major water utilities and other water users came together to draw up a plan to ensure adequate flows were in the river during the absence of the Shoshone call, especially during the dryer late-summer months. Efforts proved successful, according to Jim Pokrandt of the Colorado River District. “Everyone cooperated to make sure there were enough flows,” he said. “The West Slope wasn’t economically damaged.”[…]

By way of a 2006 franchise agreement with Xcel Energy, Denver Water would have a fair chance to buy the Shoshone power plant and its connected water rights, were the plant to be put up for sale, according to Denver Water’s Director of Planning David Little. For this reason, West Slope water users hope to someday gain control of the plant rather than Denver Water gaining control of it.

“The West Slope sees it as a concern in the long run,” Kuhn said. “We want to keep the plant on the river as long as we can.” Both Little and Kuhn confirmed it is not even known if Xcel Energy wants to depart with its Shoshone power plant, especially with an increasing value in green power in Colorado. Even so, conversations with Denver Water have been initiated about its willingness to work with a West Slope coalition of water users and county governments about the destiny of the plant, Kuhn said.

More Colorado River Basin coverage here.

Gypsum: Trash ‘N Splash

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From the Eagle Valley Enterprise (Derek Franz):

Students of The New America School had about one week to collect a bunch of trash and build a boat for an Earth Day contest April 23 at the Gypsum Recreation Center. Their boat didn’t hold the most weight — the winning boat floated 1,000 pounds — but it did win $200 for “Best use of junk.”

More education coverage here.

Aspinall Unit: Blue Mesa Reservoir open for the season

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From The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel (Dave Buchanan):

Blue Mesa Reservoir is now mostly ice free and the Lake Fork and Elk Creek boat ramps are open. The National Park Service will have inspection stations at the ramps from 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through April 30. Beginning May 1, hours will extend to 6 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. The Iola boat ramp will open May 1, 6 a.m. until 8:30 p.m daily. Curecanti National Recreation Area Superintendent Connie Rudd announced the Ponderosa boat ramp will open under limited hours after June 18. Boaters should be aware that the only decontamination station open through May 20 will be at Elk Creek. That station opens May 1. Boats that are cleaned, drained and dry, with plugs pulled, move through inspection more rapidly.

More Aspinall Unit coverage here.

Energy policy — nuclear: June 8 public comment meeting for proposed Piñon Ridge uranium mill

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From The Telluride Watch:

The radiation program of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has received comments from the Montrose County Commissioners on the Environmental Report section of the Energy Fuels Resources Corp. radioactive materials license application. The license is required before the company can construct its proposed Piñon Ridge Uranium Mill about 12 miles west of Naturita, in the Paradox Valley. Receipt of the comments establishes a deadline of Jan. 17, 2011 for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to issue a decision on the license application.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment will hold a public meeting to accept public comments and to discuss the ongoing licensing process from 6 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, June 8 at the Montrose Pavilion auditorium.

Here’s an update on the permitting process with Montrose County from Katharhynn Heidelberg writing for the Montrose Daily Press. From the article:

Montrose County wants Energy Fuels to clarify expansion plans for its proposed uranium and vanadium mill on the West End. In documents released last week, county commissioners also said mitigation plans for mill closure are lacking, and they detailed the mill’s likely socioeconomic impact, good and bad. The documents drew “a major question mark” over aquifer response and groundwater sustainability. “We just want to make sure those are spoken to in the application process,” said County Commissioner Gary Ellis. But, he said, the county still supports the Piñon Ridge Mill, which Energy Fuels plans to build in the Paradox Valley.

More nuclear coverage here and here.

Energy policy — nuclear: Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board Uranium mining, permit fees and the disclosure of prospecting information rules meeting schedule

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From email from the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board (Deb Bell):

The Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board has revised the hearing schedule announced earlier this month to consider new rules and amendments proposed by the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety regarding uranium mining, permit fees and the disclosure of prospecting information. The revised schedule is as follows:

– May 13, 2010 -The Board will receive oral public comments by non-parties at the Courtyard and Residence Inn by Marriott, 765 Horizon Drive, Grand Junction. The Rulemaking Hearing will begin after the Board concludes its regularly scheduled non-rulemaking matters at its May 13 Board Meeting which is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m. The Rulemaking Hearing will run until 7:00 p.m., though it may conclude earlier if all interested citizens have had an opportunity to speak. Time: Upon adjournment of the Mined Land Reclamation Board meeting until 7:00 p.m. (may conclude earlier as noted above). Place: Courtyard and Residence Inn by Marriott, 765 Horizon Drive, Grand Junction, CO 81506. Telephone No. 970-263-4414.

– May 26, 2010- The Board will hold its third session in Salida, Colorado. On such date, the Board will receive oral public comments by non-parties. Time: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Place: John Held Auditorium, Salida High School, 905 “D” Street, Salida, CO 81201. Telephone No. 719-530-5400.

– June 10, 2010 – The Board will hold its fourth session in Denver, Colorado. On such date, the Board will receive oral public comments by non-parties. (The Board will hear regularly scheduled, non-rulemaking matters on June 9, 2010 also in Denver) Time: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Place: TBD

More nuclear coverage here and here.

Montrose: Annual ‘State of the Gunnison River’ meeting May 3

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From the Ouray County Talk:

Andy Mueller of Ridgway, president of the Colorado River District Board of Directors, is the keynote speaker at the annual “Gunnison State of the River” meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, May 3, at the Holiday Inn Express in Montrose. The annual event provided by the Colorado River District as an opportunity for the public to learn why water is the number one issue for western Colorado.

More Gunnison River Basin coverage here.

Southern Delivery System: Colorado Springs Utilities pitches rate hike to city council

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From The Colorado Springs Gazette (Eileen Welsome):

Colorado Springs Utilities presented a formal rate case to the City Council Tuesday, asking for two consecutive rate hikes of 12 percent each that would go into effect in 2011 and 2012 and would be used to begin construction on the $1.2 billion Southern Delivery System. Jerry Forte, chief executive officer of the municipal utility, said the pipeline is needed not only to ensure a water supply for future customers, but also to create hundreds of jobs. “It’ll be an economic boost to the region,” he said.

Meanwhile Colorado Springs Utilities is spreading the word about the jobs side of the project to El Paso, Pueblo and Fremont counties. Here’s a report from Pam Zubeck writing for the Colorado Springs Independent. From the article:

And Utilities wants contractors and businesses to know how to get a piece of the action, compliments of its ratepayers, which will see rates swell by 12 percent per year from 2011 through 2016. So, the city has set up workshops in El Paso, Pueblo and Fremont counties to spread information about how to bid on the massive pipeline project that will bring about 70 million gallons a day to Colorado Springs, increasing the city’s water supply by a third…

All meetings are from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Dates and locations:

Colorado Springs: May 6, Leon Young Service Center, 1521 Hancock Expressway, Pikes Peak Room

Pueblo: May 10, El Pueblo History Museum, 301 N. Union Ave.

Canon City: May 13, Pueblo Community College, Fremont Campus – 51320 W. Hwy 50

More Southern Delivery System coverage here and here.

Colorado Wildlife Federation annual banquet Saturday

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From The Denver Post:

The Colorado Wildlife Federation’s annual banquet is Saturday at the Plaza of the Mart, just east of the Interstate 25 and 58th Avenue in Denver. As the state’s oldest conservation organization, the CWF continues to work as a voice for sportsmen and others who value Colorado’s wildlife heritage and tradition of stewardship. Ongoing efforts include key energy development legislation and protection of wildlife habitat, as well as more traditional hunting and fishing issues. Doors open at 4:30 p.m., with dinner at 6 p.m. The evening will include an auction for wildlife items, archery instruction and a rafting trip. All proceeds go toward the CWF’s efforts on behalf of wildlife.

Banquet honorees include Polly Reetz of the Audubon Society of Greater Denver; Dave Petersen, an outdoor writer, avid bow hunter and most recently a Trout Unlimited spokesman; and Judith Kohler, a veteran Associated Press reporter whose in-depth coverage of Western natural resource issues has brought nationwide attention to efforts to protect the Rocky Mountain region’s wildlife.

“We urge all those who care about the wildlife heritage of Colorado and the Rocky Mountain West to join us,” said Suzanne O’Neill, executive director of the CWF. “The banquet will be a fun evening that will encourage us for the important work ahead to sustain the wildlife that defines Colorado as one of the most treasured places in our nation and the world.”

Cost is $40 per person. For more information, go to the CWF website at coloradowildlife.org.

La Salle: Godfrey ditch diverts for 141st year

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It’s the time of year when the irrigation ditches start running. Bill Jackson has a short article about the Godfrey ditch located between Evans and La Salle running in The Greeley Tribune. From the article:

Officials with the ditch company celebrated the 140th anniversary of the 1870 water right that takes water from the South Platte River east of here to irrigate about 1,000 acres of farmland. That farmland is along what is known as the Godfrey Bottoms, a fertile piece of ground that separates Evans and La Salle. The ditch was started by Holun Godfrey, who came to the area in the 1860s from eastern Colorado and started an irrigated farming operation.

More South Platte Basin coverage here.

Energy policy — nuclear: HB 10-1348 (Increase Oversight Radioactive Materials) clears preliminary vote in the state senate

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From The Pueblo Chieftain (Patrick Malone):

The state Senate on Tuesday gave preliminary approval to a bill that would require Cotter uranium mill to clean up its pollution before taking on new jobs. Proponents of the bill contend Cotter has been poisoning the environment for decades and done little about it, while representatives of the company have said the proposed legislation would be a poison pill for its operation…

The House already has passed the bill, and a final vote on it in the Senate could come as soon as today.

More HB 10-1348 coverage here.

Arkansas Valley Conduit update

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From The Pueblo Chieftain (Chris Woodka):

“We need to get this group back together (in June) to talk about the cost estimates before the district goes to each city and water utility,” Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District President Bill Long told the conduit advisory committee Tuesday. The committee has met for years discussing the engineering, route and benefits of the conduit. Now, with $5 million in federal funding this year, the project is finally approaching reality. Southeastern is trying to secure $8 million from Congress to continue work next year.

Revised cost estimates are expected next month, and cities or districts east of Pueblo will be formally asked to sign funding agreements later this year. The local share of funding for construction would be offset by federal legislation that allows payment from excess-capacity contracts to defray those costs. Area water suppliers would still have to fund operation and maintenance, said Phil Reynolds, project director. The conduit could be built as soon as 2018, if the environmental review process is not drawn out, if Congress fully funds it and if no major snags develop, said Kevin Meador of Black & Veatch, the lead consultants. With any luck, the National Environmental Policy Act review — most likely an Environmental Impact Statement — by the Bureau of Reclamation will take about 2 years, Meador said…

Four alternatives have been identified either along U.S. 50 or north of the Arkansas River. More than 200 miles of pipeline, a treatment plant to filter the water, storage tanks and pumping stations are part of the plans…

Making its way through Pueblo, the conduit’s route would either cut through the city in a more-or-less straight shot from the Whitlock plant on the north-of-the-river route, or follow the Bessemer Ditch to the St. Charles Mesa, hooking up with U.S. 50 near Avondale…

East of Las Animas, the routes to Lamar and Eads are fairly well determined…

The Southeastern District has determined there are 41 water providers serving 57,655 people who are still interested in participating in the conduit, said Hal Simpson, a former state engineer who is working as a water resources consultant on the conduit. By 2050, the population is projected to increase to between 76,000-82,000. Because some cities are projecting mixing their current supplies with the conduit water, the projected demand from the conduit would be about 9.3 million gallons per day now, increasing to 12.3 million gallons per day by 2050. The pipeline would be sized to deliver for the peak day. Fryingpan-Arkansas Project supplies, on average, would amount to about three-fifths of the water delivered through the conduit. The rest would come from already identified sources, with some potential gaps that could mean the purchase of agricultural water rights, Simpson said.

More Arkanasas Valley Conduit coverage here and here.