Water Takeover

[Greggd]

I am not one to run around sharing my political views , but two of the companies that I consult for both send the below listed youtube information and I wanted to share with you because of the long term (forever) ramifications to us and our progeny .

www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqHaUadsapc

Greggde

[jage]

Not sure that will affect Colorado as so much as collecting rainwater in a coffee can is already illegal here, and some cities don't even own their own water rights.

[daveb]

I'll have to ask about this bill. Our company has the water rights of the Tuolumne river that originates in Yosemite. But again we are a public utility. Still, the quacks would love to snatch the rights up for their own ideal world.

[Ed in Montana]

I don't know about this legislation, but I after watching the vid, I suspect the YouTube video is filled with a lot of BS. In Montana, all navigable water (that historically could float a canoe) belongs to the state of Montana, and therefore is available for public access. It doesn't matter who owns the streambed or lakebed, the state owns the water. It's settled law. If Congress tried to pass legislation to take control of this water, it would provoke an enormous political fight. In the West, whiskey is for drinking and water is for fighting, as the saying goes.

Some wealthy landowners are still trying to fight this Montana stream access law, claiming that they can own a river or stream and lock out public access, but they have lost a dozen lawsuits so far.

Now when it comes to water on federal lands such as national forests, the feds are last in line for the unallocated water rights. Enviros have been trying to get the feds to apply for these unallocated water rights so that instream flows for federal waters can be established to protect fisheries. A good move if they ever get around to doing it.

Public recreational access to Montana's waters (plus the states amazing 400 fishing access sites) is what makes Montana such a great place for outdoor recreation.

[rowie23]

The essential elements of an appropriation are the diversion of water and its application to a beneficial use. A diversion is made simply by removing water from its natural course or location, or by controlling water that remains in its natural course. The requirement of application to beneficial use is satisfied by irrigation, mining and industrial application, stock watering, domestic and municipal use, and other non-wasteful economic activities.

[Stumpalump]

Originally Posted by jage

Not sure that will affect Colorado as so much as collecting rainwater in a coffee can is already illegal here, and some cities don't even own their own water rights.

I own a small lot in Laveta Colorado. Our next property owners meeting is to discuss what we will do with the few ponds that have been on the common ground for decades. Last year the state decided that the tiny amount of water that evaporates from the ponds belongs to them. They want compensation for that evaporated water. We have to buy water rights from somebody else and give it to the state or drain the ponds. Sad thing is the ponds are used to water livestock but common sense need not apply. We should have a water trough for that. Crazy. I'm a proud American but at what point will it be OK to loose the proud part?

[Ed in Montana]

Stumpalump wrote:

I'm a proud American but at what point will it be OK to loose the proud part?

Move to Montana. We have much saner water laws than Colorado!

[daveb]

Interesting site:
http://www.cwposse.org/waterforfighting/campaign.html

[edit] This site is somewhat political to say the least and I don’t want to offend those who disagree with it. I have no connections to the site and am not promoting it. But here in Ca we are having problems with water rights. The site reminded me of the Water Takeover post made sometime back.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HK2jNERXiDQ&NR=1

[EMrider]

Originally Posted by daveb

Interesting site:
http://www.cwposse.org/waterforfighting/campaign.html

[edit] This site is somewhat political to say the least and I don’t want to offend those who disagree with it. I have no connections to the site and am not promoting it. But here in Ca we are having problems with water rights. The site reminded me of the Water Takeover post made sometime back.

Yes indeed. As with many things, CA water rights issues/conflicts are quite unique and longstanding. I don't know details for other states, but would bet a lot that they are not at all like the situatoin in CA.

IMHO, it is impossible not to make this a political issue. Everything about water rights in CA (and probably anywhere else) has been, and remains deeply political.

R

[WVvan]

They say the next big war won't be over oil, it'll be over water.