Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Water Governance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
State Water Commission to meet in county July 22 to seek agreement between Otter Creek and East Fork irrigation companies
Summary
Representatives of the State Water Commission including Chairman Kevin Stratton will convene with Otter Creek and East Fork irrigation boards on July 22 at the county courthouse to seek a cooperative agreement to replace a prior "napkin" arrangement; county commissioners said they will avoid intervening so the companies can negotiate directly.
Garfield County commissioners said a meeting of the State Water Commission will be scheduled at 11 a.m. on July 22 at the courthouse to bring together Otter Creek and East Fork irrigation company boards and the state engineer.
Commissioners said the meeting, to be led by Representative Kevin Stratton in his capacity as chair of the State Water Commission, aims to resolve an outstanding dispute about a prior informal or "napkin" agreement that the state engineer has questioned. County officials said the hope is the two water companies will reach a cooperative agreement at that meeting that clarifies storage and distribution rights and allows better water storage than the current standing arrangement.
County commissioners said they encouraged the irrigation boards to negotiate directly without commissioners speaking at the meeting to avoid influencing either party. Commissioners noted the meeting could enable the two companies to finalize an agreement that would allow improved water storage even if not at previous levels.
No formal county action was required at the meeting beyond scheduling and cooperation; county staff were asked to reserve the conference room.
