Salazar, Miles at odds over downstream water

[CO Liberal]

Hmmm - after reading this article, I came away with the impression that many of Mike Miles' ideas are either illegal, illogical, or impractical. - Wayne

BTW, as a Republican rag, the Pueblo Chieftain really has no stake in this race.

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Salazar, Miles at odds over downstream water


Ken Salazar..................Mike Miles

DENVER - Reopening Colorado's water compacts with downstream states is a bad idea, Ken Salazar said of his U.S. Senate rival's suggestion Tuesday.

At a taped debate at Channel 9 in Denver, Salazar and his Democratic opponent Mike Miles squared off over many of the same issues each has talked about leading up to next Tuesday's primary race.

But in a new twist, Salazar asked Miles what he would do about the state's 11 water compacts, most of which were written in the early part of the 20th Century delineating how much water Colorado rivers should flow to downstream states.

Miles said he would reopen those compacts to help Colorado retain some of its water during drought years, but Salazar said that was not only an idea he would fight, but one everyone in the state regardless of party would fight, too.

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http://www.chieftain.com/metro/1091645075/9

[magpie]

1. 'Illegal,illogical, or impractical' ???

Mike Miles wants to re-look at something set up 100 years ago and it is (in your opinion)'illegal,illogical, or impractical' ???
I live on a hillside, on the Western Slope that is so toasted. I am near Storm King- where firefighters died. Then the mountain across burned two years ago and we had to flee our home. Someone needs to look at our 'current' water situation. We are in a drought. It is painful to see what is happening to trees, ranchers, birds, the river areas. Mr. Salazar considers these 100 year old deals to be 'sacrosanct'? Deals between California water users and my precious deer, raccoon, jay friends ( not to mention - but, OK I will) my kids, elderly neighbors, the trees, the orchard owners, my home, and on and on... I never experienced drought before this past several years. I studied it in 5th grade or something. This is god-awful to see and feel every day. 100 year old water deals can't be touched? why? Really, why?
magpie

[CO Liberal]

2. That's Right

Sure we've increased our population since the interstate agreements were signed. But so have the other states. We could actually LOSE water rights if they were to be re-opened.

And it's not just your area that's sufferred from the drought. I live in Pueblo West, and the southeast portion of the state (particularly the agricultural areas) have been very hard-hit.

I think the real difference here is perspective. Ken Salazar is looking at those water agreements from a lawyer's point of view - Mike Miles is not.

[Robb]

3. Funny how even today

...Colorado elections can be boiled down to water issues.

I'm not up on it enough to know whether re-opening those contracts would mean water rights could be lost. But I do know it's not just an ag issue, there's a lot of money tied up in that water leaving the state.

[travisleit01]

4. Sounds like

Miles is looking at the agreements from a commonsense, Coloradan-focused point of view. I'd feel better having someone like him represent me, looking out for my best interests as a fellow resident of this state, than a lawyer.

[CO Liberal]

5. Or Perhaps...

Miles is looking at the agreements from the point of view where he doesn't know what the hell he's talking about....