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County to send NEPA correspondence over Crystal Reservoir water-rights concerns; board authorizes signatures
Summary
Ouray County authorized transmittal of NEPA-related correspondence to the U.S. Forest Service and others, alleging the agency did not follow NEPA procedures when leaving senior water rights at Crystal Reservoir effectively abandoned.
The Ouray County Board of County Commissioners authorized county attorneys and commissioners to sign and transmit a letter and attachments to the U.S. Forest Service and other stakeholders raising concerns about the Forest Service’s handling of water rights at Crystal Reservoir.
County staff and commissioners said the material alleges the Forest Service failed to follow required NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) procedures before abandoning or allowing abandonment of senior water rights that were purchased with public funds. Commissioners and staff described the matter as a complex mix of historical purchases, state and federal processes, and potential missed opportunities to secure senior water rights for watershed protection and municipal use.
The board, after discussion, voted unanimously to approve the NEPA correspondence and to add signature lines for county attorneys and commissioners. Commissioners directed staff to transmit the correspondence electronically to both of the county’s U.S. senators and the district representative's office contemporaneously.
Speakers emphasized this is part of a broader effort to work with the city of Ouray and regional water stakeholders to explore options, including models used by other water districts to secure senior rights. No legal action was taken by the county at the meeting; the matter was referred to the intended signatories for distribution.
