By Diane Bairstow

 

   The big story of 1990 was American Water Development, Inc.’s (AWDI) grab for water rights in the Valley. They did this on two fronts. They tried to take over the creeks and dam, and to divert the water, which would have resulted in dry creek beds and roads built through the forest as high up as 11,000 ft. This “water diversion” was withdrawn due to strong opposition.

   On the second front, AWDI set out to take the subterranean water from under the Baca Ranch, which they owned, and sell it to the Front Range. This battle would last for years.

It all started in 1986 when AWDI applied for permission to withdraw 200,000 acre-feet of water per year to irrigate farmland in the Valley and brew beer. In 1989 Maurice Strong quit AWDI because he felt they were no longer interested in using the water in a “socially and environmentally responsible way.” They were going to sell it to the highest bidder.

   During this time, Christine Canaly began organizing a Valley-wide cit­izen’s group to oppose the project—The Citizens for San Luis Valley Water.

   Meetings with area residents, State Senators and Representatives ensued. Films were viewed about the removal of water from Owens Valley in California. After 15 years of pumping the water to Los Angeles, Owens Lake turned into a dust bowl.

   The discovery of a rare subterranean fish, Aprilious Uno Subterra­nean (related to the Tennessee Snail Darter) made front page news. Resi­dents were sure this would halt AWDI’s progress until it was discovered it was just another of Kizzen’s Aprilious Foolius Jokius.

   AWDI’s original application to the District Water Court was to pump 200,000 acre ft. of water annually from the underground aquifer. They de­nied that there would be any effect on the environment or other water us­ers. By August, they had amended their application to 60,000 acre ft. an­nually, (still approximately 2 times the amount used by the City of Pueblo annually). They would, however, retain the right to the remaining 140,000 acre ft., but that would be pumped in the future on condition of the courts.

   For the first time, AWDI admitted in its application that its pump­ing would affect 256 wells. This amended application calls for the Water Court and State Engineer to establish a monitoring system to determine pumping impact.

   By the end of the year, farmers, merchants and residents of the Valley were fully engaged and were taking out full page ads in The Eagle against AWDI. Residents and businesses were filing objections in Division 3 Water Court to AWDI’s claims. The Rio Grande Water Conservation District was asking for a loan of $472,000 to fight AWDI in court.

   The combatants were engaged, the battle was on.