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Western Water Project

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Western Water Project
1320 Pearl Street, Suite 320
Boulder, CO 80302
303-440-2937
303-440-7933 (fax)

Scott Yates, Director, Western Water Project
Contact Scott Yates

John Gerstle, Technical Advisor, Western Water Project
Contact John Gerstle

Randy Scholfield, Communications Director, Western Water Project
Contact Randy Scholfield

Message from the Director

When it comes to water, the West is at a crossroads. Water is a scare commodity –and it’s getting scarcer. Increasingly, our rivers and streams are facing threats from drought, population growth and other pressures. TU’s Western Water Project is committed to finding smart water solutions that will boost in-stream flows and restore the health of important trout fisheries.

Updating Water Laws




Incredibly, water usage in the West is still governed largely by water laws created in the 1800s - antiquated provisions that fail to recognize the intrinsic value of healthy rivers and streams.

Protect

While TU prefers collaboration, sometimes the only way to protect rivers and fish is to defend them in court. Over the past 10 years, TU has pursued strategic legal challenges to ill-advised dam proposals and activities that threaten flows for healthy fisheries. Legal advocacy has saved some of the West’s most fabled fisheries, and it has also paved the way for legislative solutions.

Restore

In a region where battles between landowners, agencies and environmentalists often dominate the headlines, TU is quietly working with diverse partners on projects that preserve trout habitat and restore healthy water flows. These projects demonstrate that collaborative, win-win water solutions are possible, even in the arid West.

The fight for water rights

12/12/2010
The Bozeman Daily Chronicle
By Carly Flandro

"First in time, first in right." These simple words have essentially guided Montana's water rights system. Accordingly, they've at times become fighting words...

Settlement reached in Dry Gulch water case

12/08/2010
Pagosa Springs SUN Newspaper
By Randi Pierce

After years of litigation, the Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation and San Juan Water Conservancy districts have agreed to the terms of a settlement with Trout Unlimited in the case of the proposed Dry Gulch Reservoir.

Pagosa reservoir closer to reality

Request for water rights scaled back from 35K acre feet to 11K

12/05/2010
The Durango Herald
By Patrick Young

The Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District and the San Juan Water Conservancy District have struck a deal with Trout Unlimited, bringing the proposed Dry Gulch Reservoir one step closer to fruition.

Nationally known water expert to speak in Cashmere

11/17/2010
The Wenatchee World
By K.C. Mehaffey

An author, professor and water policy expert who’s had national media attention, Robert Glennon will speak during a free event Friday night at the Cashmere Riverside Center.

Christo's plan for Arkansas River wrapped in controversy

11/12/2010
New West
By David Frey

"Hate it or like it is irrelevant," Christo says. "(An artist) wants his project to be discussed."