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Reservoir proposal fuels local debates
After Poudre River named endangered, more concerns arise among residents
Kaeli West
Issue date: 5/1/08 Section: News
Stednick said improved water treatment in rivers like the waste-dominated South Platte, would help spare the Poudre of water loss. Instead of spending money on costly water treatment, he said municipalities have chosen to pay to pump water to a reservoir even at the expense of the Poudre.
While Stednick points to alternatives such as water treatment and conservation as better solutions, NISP leaders say those efforts will not suffice and action needs to be taken to meet demand of a growing population and to prevent the loss of and estimated 62 to 100 square miles of agricultural land.
Carl Brouwer, a project manager for NISP, said water infrastructure is necessary to meet the needs of growing towns, and cooperation among the community members could lead to commonly agreed solutions.
"We can't just wish our way into a new water supply," he said. "We haven't built anything for a quarter century … you do need new water infrastructure."
Brouwer added that it doesn't have to be an all or nothing project, and that collaborative input from the community could improve the condition of the river while still building the reservoir.
"Let's talk about ideas and see if we can pull something together," he said. "I don't think it has to be all or nothing.
"I understand the concern…on the other hand, let's wait to see what the real results are," Brouwer said.
John Metten, a senior Natural Resource management major, said conservation is key and economic, social and environmental costs associated with the Glade Reservoir far outweigh the benefits. Metten reiterated concern and said the reservoir would pull peak flows out of the river, which revitalize wetlands and help clean out high levels of selenium and bacteria that accumulate in the river.
"Those (peak flows) are really important for the ecosystem," he said. "The health of these natural areas are intertwined with the river. Why spend money on natural areas and then spend money on the reservoir, which will degrade those areas?"
Senior Reporter Kaeli West can be reached at news@collegian.com.
While Stednick points to alternatives such as water treatment and conservation as better solutions, NISP leaders say those efforts will not suffice and action needs to be taken to meet demand of a growing population and to prevent the loss of and estimated 62 to 100 square miles of agricultural land.
Carl Brouwer, a project manager for NISP, said water infrastructure is necessary to meet the needs of growing towns, and cooperation among the community members could lead to commonly agreed solutions.
"We can't just wish our way into a new water supply," he said. "We haven't built anything for a quarter century … you do need new water infrastructure."
Brouwer added that it doesn't have to be an all or nothing project, and that collaborative input from the community could improve the condition of the river while still building the reservoir.
"Let's talk about ideas and see if we can pull something together," he said. "I don't think it has to be all or nothing.
"I understand the concern…on the other hand, let's wait to see what the real results are," Brouwer said.
John Metten, a senior Natural Resource management major, said conservation is key and economic, social and environmental costs associated with the Glade Reservoir far outweigh the benefits. Metten reiterated concern and said the reservoir would pull peak flows out of the river, which revitalize wetlands and help clean out high levels of selenium and bacteria that accumulate in the river.
"Those (peak flows) are really important for the ecosystem," he said. "The health of these natural areas are intertwined with the river. Why spend money on natural areas and then spend money on the reservoir, which will degrade those areas?"
Senior Reporter Kaeli West can be reached at news@collegian.com.
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