| 11/13/2006 9:13:00 AM | Email this article • Print this article | Knowledge flows
UAWCD hosts seminar aimed to educate leaders on water issues
by Jason Starr
Mail Staff Writer
Colorado and Upper Arkansas River water history, water law, water exchanges and augmentation plans were discussed during an all day seminar Friday in Salida.
The workshop was hosted by the Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District. Presenters included district water attorney Julianne Woldridge and UAWCD general manager Terry Scanga.
It was the first of two seminars planned. The second is set for Nov. 30.
Throughout six months of Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District meetings, first-year director Greg Felt hasn't been shy about asking questions.
Felt, the first Upper Arkansas director with a background in river outfitting, often requested clarification of complex legal and administrative water issues the district handles.
At first he said he worried he was delaying meetings with his queries. Then he realized other directors appreciated the clarification that resulted.
"I ask a lot of questions because I'm trying to learn," Felt said. "We're all learning."
Felt's questions and those of other newer board members prompted Scanga to stage the seminar about water law and the history and purpose of the district.
The seminar, a first for the Upper Arkansas district, was modeled on occasional similar events held by the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District.
"I'm glad we did it," Scanga said during a break between presentations. "It's been very successful."
He handled presentations about district overall operation and augmentation plan. In the afternoon, Woldridge discussed basics of a water right, concept of water exchanges, the tenet of beneficial use and some newer developments in water use such as interruptible supply agreements and contractual exchanges.
"The development of water law and the development of water rights in Colorado is a very fluid thing," she told the crowd of about 40 people, "It is constantly changing. There are new laws being made all the time."
Audience members included most of the district directors and many former directors. Salida City Administrator Steve Golnar, Caņon City Mayor Bill Jackson, John Sandefur of Penrose Water and representatives of the southeastern district also attended.
Scanga said the initial concept was to educate new directors, but the idea soon expanded into a learning opportunity for anyone in the region interested in water district operations.
Felt said the event Friday and his time on the board, has provided an education on par with that of his college days.
"It has been extremely stimulating intellectually for me," the co-owner of Arkanglers fishing shop in Salida said. "It's more intellectually stimulating than trying to figure out how to book more fishing trips.
"The people on this board and the staff have been extremely helpful getting me up to speed and answering my questions."
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