"With public sentiment, nothing can fail; without it, nothing can succeed. Consequently, he who molds public sentiment goes deeper than he who enacts statutes or pronounces decisions."
- Abraham Lincoln
The more groups and individuals that sign on, the better! We must create majorities and engineer a paradigm shift. Please consider asking your organization to join with all of us. To sign a shortened version of the resolution below, please go to http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/save-the-poudre-river.html Please note that if you do sign the petition, your email address may be added to our Announcements listserver. You can always choose to unsubscribe from that list if you do not wish to receive periodic announcements from us. Thanks.
Our Joint Resolution
Whereas the Cache la Poudre River Basin is a key public and natural resource supporting an important fishery, recreational opportunities, habitat for other wildlife; and irreplaceable aesthetic values; and
Whereas all parties in Northern Colorado have a stake in conserving, protecting and restoring this vital resource; and
Whereas the economic, environmental and social benefits deriving from the fishing, recreational and other opportunities provided by the Cache La Poudre River Basin depend substantially on the health of the River, including adequate stream flows; and
Whereas the timing, magnitude, and duration of peak spring flows are critical to water quality and the establishment and maintenance of the river and riparian ecosystem; and
Whereas flow regimes have already been significantly altered; and Whereas further diminution of Poudre River stream flows are likely to negatively affect the health of the river; and
Whereas the cumulative impacts of the Northern Integrated Supply Project (NISP) on stream flow, regional hydrology, habitat and water quality are as yet unknown, especially in combination with other projects proposed for the Northern Colorado region; and
Whereas water conservation, coupled with greater efficiency of use can satisfy water demand with the least cost; and
Whereas water supply need projections must be based on realistic population and consumption forecasts along with supply forecasts that take into consideration all proposed sources; and
Whereas the participants in NISP have significant, as yet-unmet potential for implementing reasonable water conservation measures which could address much if not all of their projected needs; and
Whereas ______[group or individual] _______ supports a comprehensive, balanced, and affordable approach that can satisfy Front Range water demands without placing undue harm on the environment or inhabitants of any one place or time;
Be it Resolved:
That ________[group or individual] _______holds forth that before committing to new storage of water from the Poudre River; all participants in NISP must fully integrate comprehensive conservation, water reuse, efficiency improvements, and demand management techniques into the water supply planning process; and
That these efforts must include all feasible measures to conserve water, including tiered water rates which create disincentives for high consumption, public education, and other methods [as specified in the “Facing Our Futures” report issued by Western Resource Advocates (www.westernresourceadvocates.org)]; and
That Statements of Need must be based on realistic population projections and supplies; , and upon consumption projections which incorporate maximized conservation measures; and
That any new water storage and related distribution infrastructure can only be undertaken upon adequate scientific demonstration that there will be no net environmental degradation to the Poudre River or environs; and
That, before taking more water out of the river, participants must make a good faith effort to adopt interruptible supply agreements (where feasible) between agricultural water users and other water users; and
That the public must be fully and adequately involved in the planning process to ensure that project developers understand and minimize these environmental and socioeconomic impacts.
Signature pages: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
