High-stakes water trial on hold
By Jerd Smith, Rocky Mountain News
Published June 2, 2008 at 12:11 p.m.
Updated June 2, 2008 at 11:43 p.m.
A critical water trial in Wray, which threatened closure of more than 1,300 high-capacity irrigation wells, has been postponed one week while parties consider a proposed $20 million settlement of the case.
If various water boards don't approve the tentative agreement this week, the trial will begin Monday, attorney Steve Bush ong said.
Nearly 4,000 powerful irrigation wells provide the backbone of a booming ethanol economy on the eastern plains. But pumping from the wells has been shown to depress flows in the Republican River, leaving less surface water for farmers who rely on the river for irrigation.
Under this settlement, special districts that represent well users would likely issue bonds to pay the settlement to the surface water right-holders, using new tax revenues to pay off the bonds.
The agreement must be approved by several other entities, as well, and ultimately might have to go to a vote of Yuma County residents.
smithj@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5474
Featured
-
DNC in Denver
Complete coverage of the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
-
The Crevasse
A five-part series that examines one tragic day on Mount Rainier.
-
Deadly denial
Sick nuclear workers applied for government compensation but most haven't seen a dime.
-
Final Salute
The Rocky followed Maj. Steve Beck as he took on the most difficult duty of his career.
-
'Colorado's burning'
Coverage of the state's worst wildfires.
-
Columbine shootings
Coverage of the April 20, 1999, shootings at Littleton's Columbine High School.
-
The Crossing
Colorado's deadliest traffic accident killed 20 children on Dec. 14, 1961.
-
Osveli's journey
Osveli Sales left Guatemala for a better life. Two months later, he came home in a box.
-
Wake for an Indian warrior
Oglala Sioux bestow a tribute to the first tribal fatality in Iraq.
June 2, 2008
2:04 p.m.
Suggest removal
bookwerm writes:
Dudes, unless you think water comes from "magical water wonderland", the water being pumped FROM the wells is FROM the RIVER! Pretending it doesn't is just foolish. Based on how current water rights laws are set up in the west, these PUMPERS are breaking the law, no 2 ways about it... now, in reality, if they can limit their pumping enough to NOT effect water rights/ water flow, fine, but they are NOT doing so! That would be a huge reduction from their current pump rates, which IS treating it as if it is coming from "magic water wonderland"... These are people who must know they are and have been getting away with stuff.. The aquifier gets replenished from the river basin.. STEALING the water out of the rivers directly would be at least more HONEST!..
I do hope they can come up with a compromise, pumping from the wells is better than pulling from the river in many way!
June 2, 2008
4:40 p.m.
Suggest removal
Retread writes:
And the only people to win from this settlement will be the bottom feeding lawyers!
June 3, 2008
8:11 p.m.
Suggest removal
Bethleen writes:
In response to the comment by bookwerm:
Actually unlike most basins in Colorado the Republican River Basin is a closed basin. Which means that the river does not feed the aquifer. The aquifer feeds the river. Also in a closed basin surface water is not king. The Pioneer ditch hasn't lost this lawsuit twice already for no reason. The Pioneer Ditch has actually been deficit of water prior to any ground water irrigation. Also, if every well in the basin were curtailed it would barely increase stream flow. It's a hydrological fact. I would strongly encourage you to visit the coloradoagriculturepreservationassociation.com website to increase your understanding of the water issues of the Republican River Basin.