Representative receives an up-close view of water issues

Representative receives an up-close view of water issues

August 28, 2001

Life in the Legislature
By State Representative Mark Larson

Touring with interim and study committees can be incredibly educational.

The past two weeks I have spent much time traveling around our fair state studying water issues, looking at youth corrections facilities, prisons, the University of Colorado at Boulder, Red Rocks Community College, habitat recovery projects and, probably the most impressive of them all, the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. I may whine every now and then about my difficult-to-manage workload and the wee hours of the morning spent on e-mail assuring that I stay accessible and responsive, but these couple of weeks have reaffirmed one of the basic reasons I love this job so much. I am learning something new and valuable every day.

The Black Canyon of the Gunnison tour was set up by the Department of Natural Resources to discuss the many difficult issues surrounding the recent filing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services Department claim against the Gunnison River and the waters that make the Aspinall Generation Units work. We rode down the river in a pontoon boat taking in the grandeur and splendor of the steep walls of the Black Canyon, which was recently made a National Park. These waters serve a wide range of uses up and down the river valley out into Utah. The issue being studied and debated was how the U.S. fish and Wildlife's claim would impact all parties concerned, including the agricultural and municipal needs down river.

One of the more intense and yet unemotional discussions was held while overlooking the 2,300 foot high by 4,000 foot wide magnificent Painted Wall on the lower end of the canyon. I attempted to listen to the very candid and knowledgeable de-bate going on between the federal, state, county and local officials while standing adjacent to one of God's best natural wonders. I don't know if it was the setting or the individuals involved, but the discussion end-ed on a positive, synergistic note. I can only suppose that, were the conversation held in some hot meeting room back in Montrose, a significantly different tone would have ensued.

I came away with a clear understanding of the multitude of issues and why each entity felt they had a valid claim on the available water. I was impressed that almost all parties involved said, "We can do this.

Everyone will have to give a little, but we can preserve the Canyon while protecting the downstream users." I was not only moved by this event, my spirit was also renewed.

This group also toured the Point Morrow Hydroelectric Generation Station, the second of three power plants that supply us Western Slopers with our electricity. As we walked along the top of the dam, our host explained all of the facts we needed to know to better understand the connecting power grids and the importance the Aspinall Units (Blue Mesa, Point Morrow and Crystal) have on the western U.S. I never knew that the dam not only curved from side to side as most dams do, but this dam also curves from top to bottom ... kind of like a disfigured contact lens!

We toured the rock-encased power plant, experienced the noise and inner-body pulsing that raw power exudes and walked by 230,000 volt power lines on their way to the LPEA's and Empire Electric's of our western world. Some of the spaces were a little cramped and cold, always wet. The high-decibel hum and vibrant force of the water gushing through the turbines keeping us ever present of the magnitude of this facility. Being a Tonka Toys kind of guy, I didn't want to leave when our tour was finished. Quietly though, I was taken by the engineering marvels this project encompassed and the delicate balancing acts these giants perform in some of the most splendid landscape our good earth has to offer.

Mark Larson is a state representative from Cortez. He can be reached at the Capitol by phone, (303) 866-2914; by fax, (303) 866-2218; or by email at mlarson@sni.net . He also has a web site at www.larsoncolorado.com .