The Pueblo Chieftain is running an article from Harris Sherman U.S. Department of Agriculture undersecretary of natural resources and environment praising the Forest to Faucet Partnership between Denver Water and the U.S. Forest Service. Here’s an excerpt:
Water for more than 60 million Americans comes from our national forests. Half of those people turn on their faucets and tap directly into watersheds on forested lands in Colorado.
The Forest Service is focused on restoring forest and watershed health to ensure a water source for our nation’s businesses, homes and agriculture. Today, our nation’s forests are threatened like never before. They face a health crisis due in part to climate change and a legacy of fire suppression.
The symptoms of declining health are evident, with widespread outbreaks of forest insect and disease infestations, and the increasing occurrence of large and catastrophic wildfires, such as the 2002 Haymen Fire. That fire was the largest in Colorado’s recorded history, burning more than 137,000 acres. It resulted in massive siltation and erosion into the streams and rivers feeding Denver’s drinking water reservoirs, creating an expensive, challenging task for Denver Water’s managers.
More restoration coverage here.