I friend of mine who works for Colorado Enviromental Coalition just called me trying to get the word out on this. So let's all try and do our part to stop this from going through.
From my basic understanding on this, is if passed they will be able to limit maximum stream flow to 350 cfs. That is on every river, stream, and creek in the state.
Here is all of the info.
Oppose Senate Bill 62 - Attacking Recreational Water Use
SB 62 will soon be heard in the House Agriculture Committee on Monday, March 21st at 1:30pm
Please call your State Representative and ask him/her to VOTE NO on Senate Bill 62!
For your State Representative's direct phone number, click the following link and hit next page to find the list of Representatives: http://www.leg.state.co.us/Clics2005a/csl.nsf/directory?openframeset
The main State House of Representatives' numbers at the Capitol are:
1-800-811-7647 (outside of Denver)
303-866-2904 (within Denver)
**Not sure who your Representative is? Go to www.vote-smart.org and enter your 9-digit zip code under Find Your Representative!
Sample Phone Rap:
Hi, may I speak with Representative ______?
[If you speak with the Representative or leave a message]
Hi Representative ______, my name is ______ and I am one of your constituents. I am calling to ask you to oppose Senate Bill 62 which limits our recreational water use. Water-based recreation and tourism, like kayaking and rafting, contribute significantly to Colorado's economy and quality of life. Unfortunately this bill is a one-size fits all approach which does not help Colorado, our rivers or our local economies.
Please vote NO on Senate Bill 62 and thank you for your time.
[If you speak with the Representative's staff]
Hi my name is ______ and I am a constituent of Representative ______. I am calling to ask the Representative to oppose Senate Bill 62 which limits our recreational water use. Water-based recreation and tourism, like kayaking and rafting, contribute significantly to Colorado's economy and quality of life. Unfortunately this bill is a one-size fits all approach which does not help Colorado, our rivers or our local economies.
Please advise Representative ________ to vote NO on Senate Bill 62 and thank you for your time.
For more information, please contact Amy Livingston, Colorado Environmental Coalition 303.534.7066 x1514 amy@cecenviro.org
MORE INFORMATION ON THE BILL:
Background: Water-based recreation and tourism contribute significantly to Colorado's economy and quality of life. In 2001, the General Assembly enacted Senate Bill 216 placing limits on Recreational In-Channel Diversions (RICDs), water rights that protect stream flows for on-stream recreational uses, such as kayaking. Under the 2001 legislation, only cities, counties, water districts and other types of local governments can hold RICD water rights, and the amount of water dedicated to these uses is restricted to "the minimum stream flow...for a reasonable recreation experience." With the increasing popularity of recreational activities such as kayaking, rafting and tubing, today RICD water rights are a very important component of Colorado's water law.
What SB 62 changes and why you should continue to oppose this bill: All future RICD applications will be impacted by this legislation which:
Eliminates the right under current law to appropriate an RICD for a "reasonable recreation experience," and instead allows only the minimum flow for kayaking, canoeing, inner tubing, boating and rafting. This short-sited restriction prohibits local governments from using RICDs to create other legitimate, and economically important, recreational opportunities, such as fishing, wading or swimming.
Disallows RICD water rights greater than 350 cfs, a "one size fits all" approach that does not work for the diversity of rivers in the state. This unique use limitation, with no analogue in Colorado water law, discriminates against municipalities situated on larger rivers, where more water is necessary to create a recreation experience.
Creates a new definition of "control structure" for RICD water rights. The definition requires local governments to build structures that are larger, potentially more damaging to the river and more expensive than is necessary.
Economic Impacts:
For example, the City of Golden estimates that its recreational water park brings in $1.4 million to $2 million annually. Local and state economies benefit from these recreational uses of water and if SB 62 passes, the ability of local governments to acquire and use RICD water rights will be severely diminished, and it is unlikely that local leaders will invest public funds to create these recreational amenities if the necessary stream flows cannot be protected.
Just some of the Coloradans Opposing Senate Bill 62:
City of Golden, Town of Vail, Town of Breckenridge, City of Steamboat Springs, City of Pueblo, Town of Minturn, Town of Fraser, Town of Avon, Town of Granby, Town of Winter Park, Chaffee County, Summit County, Eagle County, Pitkin County, Town of Crested Butte Clinton Ditch and Reservoir Company, Eagle Park Reservoir Company, Eagle River Water & Sanitation District, Northwest Colorado Council of Governments Water Quality and Quantity Committee (not including Town of Yampa), Ruedi Water and Power Authority, Upper Eagle Regional Water Authority, Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District, 4 Corners Rafting, Alpine Kayak, American Rivers, American Whitewater, Arkansas River Outfitters Association, Arkansas River Trust, Aspen Skiing Co., Audubon Colorado, Backdoor Sports, Blue Sky Rafting, Bucking Rainbow Outfitters, Colorado Association of Ski Towns, Colorado Canoe and Kayak, Colorado Clean Water Action, Colorado Environmental Coalition, Colorado River Outfitters Association, Colorado Trout Unlimited, Colorado White Water Association, Karen and Reed Dils, Environment Colorado, Environmental Defense - Rocky Mountain Office, Friends of the Poudre, Friends of the Yampa, Gunnison Paddle Club, High Country Citizens Alliance, Jay Kenney, League of Women Voters of Colorado, One Stop Ski Shop, Poudre Paddlers, Poudre River Kayaks, Pueblo Paddlers, Rocky Mountain Canoe Club, Jeff Robison, San Juan Citizens Alliance, Selby Family, Private Boaters on the Arkansas, Sierra Club, South Main Development, Inc., Steamboat Fishing Company, The Edge Ski, Paddle and Pack, The Mountain Shop, The Roaring Fork Conservancy, The Town Company, LLC, Three Rivers Resort, Inc., Three Rivers Outfitting, Inc., Vail Summit Resorts Inc., Western Colorado Congress, Western Resource Advocates, Whitewater West, Yampa River Outfitters, Yampa Valley Fly Fishers
Amy Livingston
Water Caucus Coordinator
Colorado Environmental Coalition
1536 Wynkoop Street, #5C
Denver, CO 80202
303.534.7066 x1514 (note the new extension)
amy@cecenviro.org
www.ourcolorado.org
From my basic understanding on this, is if passed they will be able to limit maximum stream flow to 350 cfs. That is on every river, stream, and creek in the state.
Here is all of the info.
Oppose Senate Bill 62 - Attacking Recreational Water Use
SB 62 will soon be heard in the House Agriculture Committee on Monday, March 21st at 1:30pm
Please call your State Representative and ask him/her to VOTE NO on Senate Bill 62!
For your State Representative's direct phone number, click the following link and hit next page to find the list of Representatives: http://www.leg.state.co.us/Clics2005a/csl.nsf/directory?openframeset
The main State House of Representatives' numbers at the Capitol are:
1-800-811-7647 (outside of Denver)
303-866-2904 (within Denver)
**Not sure who your Representative is? Go to www.vote-smart.org and enter your 9-digit zip code under Find Your Representative!
Sample Phone Rap:
Hi, may I speak with Representative ______?
[If you speak with the Representative or leave a message]
Hi Representative ______, my name is ______ and I am one of your constituents. I am calling to ask you to oppose Senate Bill 62 which limits our recreational water use. Water-based recreation and tourism, like kayaking and rafting, contribute significantly to Colorado's economy and quality of life. Unfortunately this bill is a one-size fits all approach which does not help Colorado, our rivers or our local economies.
Please vote NO on Senate Bill 62 and thank you for your time.
[If you speak with the Representative's staff]
Hi my name is ______ and I am a constituent of Representative ______. I am calling to ask the Representative to oppose Senate Bill 62 which limits our recreational water use. Water-based recreation and tourism, like kayaking and rafting, contribute significantly to Colorado's economy and quality of life. Unfortunately this bill is a one-size fits all approach which does not help Colorado, our rivers or our local economies.
Please advise Representative ________ to vote NO on Senate Bill 62 and thank you for your time.
For more information, please contact Amy Livingston, Colorado Environmental Coalition 303.534.7066 x1514 amy@cecenviro.org
MORE INFORMATION ON THE BILL:
Background: Water-based recreation and tourism contribute significantly to Colorado's economy and quality of life. In 2001, the General Assembly enacted Senate Bill 216 placing limits on Recreational In-Channel Diversions (RICDs), water rights that protect stream flows for on-stream recreational uses, such as kayaking. Under the 2001 legislation, only cities, counties, water districts and other types of local governments can hold RICD water rights, and the amount of water dedicated to these uses is restricted to "the minimum stream flow...for a reasonable recreation experience." With the increasing popularity of recreational activities such as kayaking, rafting and tubing, today RICD water rights are a very important component of Colorado's water law.
What SB 62 changes and why you should continue to oppose this bill: All future RICD applications will be impacted by this legislation which:
Eliminates the right under current law to appropriate an RICD for a "reasonable recreation experience," and instead allows only the minimum flow for kayaking, canoeing, inner tubing, boating and rafting. This short-sited restriction prohibits local governments from using RICDs to create other legitimate, and economically important, recreational opportunities, such as fishing, wading or swimming.
Disallows RICD water rights greater than 350 cfs, a "one size fits all" approach that does not work for the diversity of rivers in the state. This unique use limitation, with no analogue in Colorado water law, discriminates against municipalities situated on larger rivers, where more water is necessary to create a recreation experience.
Creates a new definition of "control structure" for RICD water rights. The definition requires local governments to build structures that are larger, potentially more damaging to the river and more expensive than is necessary.
Economic Impacts:
For example, the City of Golden estimates that its recreational water park brings in $1.4 million to $2 million annually. Local and state economies benefit from these recreational uses of water and if SB 62 passes, the ability of local governments to acquire and use RICD water rights will be severely diminished, and it is unlikely that local leaders will invest public funds to create these recreational amenities if the necessary stream flows cannot be protected.
Just some of the Coloradans Opposing Senate Bill 62:
City of Golden, Town of Vail, Town of Breckenridge, City of Steamboat Springs, City of Pueblo, Town of Minturn, Town of Fraser, Town of Avon, Town of Granby, Town of Winter Park, Chaffee County, Summit County, Eagle County, Pitkin County, Town of Crested Butte Clinton Ditch and Reservoir Company, Eagle Park Reservoir Company, Eagle River Water & Sanitation District, Northwest Colorado Council of Governments Water Quality and Quantity Committee (not including Town of Yampa), Ruedi Water and Power Authority, Upper Eagle Regional Water Authority, Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District, 4 Corners Rafting, Alpine Kayak, American Rivers, American Whitewater, Arkansas River Outfitters Association, Arkansas River Trust, Aspen Skiing Co., Audubon Colorado, Backdoor Sports, Blue Sky Rafting, Bucking Rainbow Outfitters, Colorado Association of Ski Towns, Colorado Canoe and Kayak, Colorado Clean Water Action, Colorado Environmental Coalition, Colorado River Outfitters Association, Colorado Trout Unlimited, Colorado White Water Association, Karen and Reed Dils, Environment Colorado, Environmental Defense - Rocky Mountain Office, Friends of the Poudre, Friends of the Yampa, Gunnison Paddle Club, High Country Citizens Alliance, Jay Kenney, League of Women Voters of Colorado, One Stop Ski Shop, Poudre Paddlers, Poudre River Kayaks, Pueblo Paddlers, Rocky Mountain Canoe Club, Jeff Robison, San Juan Citizens Alliance, Selby Family, Private Boaters on the Arkansas, Sierra Club, South Main Development, Inc., Steamboat Fishing Company, The Edge Ski, Paddle and Pack, The Mountain Shop, The Roaring Fork Conservancy, The Town Company, LLC, Three Rivers Resort, Inc., Three Rivers Outfitting, Inc., Vail Summit Resorts Inc., Western Colorado Congress, Western Resource Advocates, Whitewater West, Yampa River Outfitters, Yampa Valley Fly Fishers
Amy Livingston
Water Caucus Coordinator
Colorado Environmental Coalition
1536 Wynkoop Street, #5C
Denver, CO 80202
303.534.7066 x1514 (note the new extension)
amy@cecenviro.org
www.ourcolorado.org