HomeMy WebLinkAbout891207.tiff RESOLUTION
RE: SUPPORT FOR COLORADO WILDERNESS WATER RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County,
Colorado, pursuant to Colorado statute and the Weld County Home
Rule Charter, is vested with the authority of administering the
affairs of Weld County, Colorado, and
WHEREAS, water is essential to the economic well-being and
quality of life in Colorado, and
WHEREAS, a federal reserved water right for wilderness
downstream from cities , farms, and industry could have a serious
detrimental impact on the economy and quality of life in Colorado,
and
WHEREAS, Congress has not heretofore expressly created
federal reserved water rights for wilderness areas in Colorado and
to grant such water rights without addressing the downstream water
rights impacts, especially considering the vast downstream areas
now under study for possible wilderness designation, would result
in a legislative precedent which would be damaging to existing
water rights and future water supply opportunities, and
WHEREAS, Senators Armstrong and Wirth appointed a
non-partisan group, which included leaders of groups responsible
for providing water for the future of Colorado, to negotiate water
language for future wilderness legislation, and
WHEREAS, those leaders of water providing groups drafted
principles which provide for water rights for wilderness and water
for Colorado' s future economic well-being.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of County
Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado, strongly endorses the
principles drafted by the leaders of Colorado' s water providers
which are summarized as follows:
1 . Future headwaters wilderness may have an expressed water
right to be adjudicated in state court with a priority
date as of enactment of the bill.
2. Legislation must provide a right of access to repair,
maintain, and replace water facilities.
3. There shall be no implied or expressed water right for
downstream wilderness.
4 . Water rights, water projects, and water facilities in
wilderness must be protected.
5 . Colorado must preserve its right to use and develop
water to which it is entitled under interstate compacts
and equitable apportionment decrees.
6 . Water may be withdrawn from wilderness in an emergency.
7 . Release remaining Forest Service wilderness study areas.
891207
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RE: SUPPORT WILDERNESS WATER RESOLUTION
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Board that a copy of this
Resolution be sent to Senator Bill Armstrong, Senator Tim Wirth,
Congressman Ben Campbell and Congressman Hank Brown.
The above and foregoing Resolution was, on motion duly made
and seconded, adopted by the following vote on the 20th day of
November, A.D. , 1989 .
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ATTEST: 24�,�„�, ����4 -cot� WELD COUNTY, COLORADO
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Weld County Clerk and Recorder
and Clerk to the Board C.W it y, C airman
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c4 /. aceL. Harbr '
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Deputy County C rk � :L
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APPROVED A TO FORM: i
/ George Ke nedy _
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County Attorney c
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891207
FACSJLMILE MEMORAItiDUM
WELD
tri„ COUNTY This message consists of
pages plus this cover
imige 915 10th Street
P. O. Box 758 sheet.
Greeley,Colorado 80632
COLORADO Sent:
Date://12/f Time:L:1Q pm By/at,
/ 1 TO:LOCATION: , . n v.. r .Z -3 w
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FROM: �� , -C, t S -Zie V.
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891207
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