L E T T E R S

July 20, 2007
Coloradans are a swell bunch
 
My passion is doing what ever it takes to conserve enough acreage in production agricultural to keep American consumers supplied with food that is seeded, raised and processed on American soil. 

The history of developed irrigation along the South Platte River tells us there's plenty of water for agriculture- well into the future.  It's just that there's not enough to meet new fangled developments like endangered species and extra cities.
When our hard working, truthful great grandfathers handled ox teams to dig wells and ditches, they probably didn't imagine a future that would grow a greed driven breed of people so dishonest that they'd boldly steal water right out from under them.

And I do mean - right out from under them!

Coloradans are a swell bunch. I'm sure that given the facts they'd gladly prioritize water in favor of agriculture.   They know how important it is to participate in a good cause like: "Don't let our fresh, safe and reasonably priced food supplies wane!"
While it's a lovely idea to have concrete slabs running up to grassy lawns, Coloradans would agree it's a better idea to have dirt roads lead into green fields that bring us tart apples, crispy lettuce, succulent peaches, drinkable barley and milk, sunny-side-up eggs, oatmeal raisin cookies and Chateabrian.

Following is a brief of my testimony before Governor Ritter's South Platte River Water Task Force - July 16th in Sterling, Colorado.

1. Please push for an audit of the South Platte Rivers.  We agree with Dan Hopkins, spokesman for former Governor Owens, "An audit won't create more water," for we know  a bank audit does not create more money.  But...it sure shows where it's slipping away. 
   We need to know from whence we came before we can determine where to go.  All the storage and the generation of new water sources will be for not...if we continue to allow water to run-away to entities unaccounted for.
2. We need Baseline Acre Production as a measurement to determine to what extent we can give up production acreage to residential/commercial/industrial development. 
   Presently it's un-balanced.  For example:  Some new developments demand buyers plant X number trees in their yard - while simultaneously taking away water from the nurseries that supply said trees.
   There's a nursery that stands to loose 4500 mature trees because of water shut off; and on the flip side, a family who arid-scaped and was scolded by the developer.
3. I'm relieved to learn that the Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska ESA agreement to supply water for the touch and go critters in North Platte, NE - will not take water from agriculture.  This will eliminate the need for non-government agencies like SPWRAP to collect monies or water from ag producers to fulfill the ESA agreement Governor Owens signed in 2006.  Please do not recognize or give any authority to such groups to continue their collection activities.
4. The 25 personed task force is invited on a field trip to the Sylvester Farm, located right on the Platte River.  A hands on session with Chuck Sylvester (Has 4 generations of studies to share.) and two hydrological engineers will serve the Task Force well.
    
   Roni Bell Sylvester