Bennet, Hickenlooper Oppose Renewable Water Resources Proposal That Would Transfer Water From the San Luis Valley

Press Release

Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper sent a letter to U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to voice their opposition to the Renewable Water Resources proposal that would export water from the San Luis Valley. The proposal would transfer groundwater out of the basin from the confined aquifer beneath the Great Sand Dunes National Park, Baca National Wildlife Refuge, and Closed Basin Project at a time when the San Luis Valley is already experiencing unprecedented drought. Senator Bennet hand delivered the letter to Secretary Haaland on Saturday during her visit to Colorado.

"After hearing concerns from our San Luis Valley constituents about this proposal for months, the District's letter from yesterday, and considering Colorado's current exceptional drought, we both oppose this proposal," wrote Bennet and Hickenlooper.

In addition to local opposition to the proposal, Bennet and Hickenlooper also highlight Public Law 102-575, also called the "Wirth Amendment'. Named for former Colorado Senator Tim Wirth who was instrumental in getting it passed, the Amendment provides a legal framework and elevated standard of environmental review for any transfer of groundwater out of the basin that may adversely affect public resources, such as the Great Sand Dunes National Park, Closed Basin Project, Baca National Wildlife Refuge.

"Valley residents, including farmers, ranchers, and business owners, rely heavily on groundwater aquifers to support their economy and way of life," wrote Bennet and Hickenlooper. "Since 2005, in response to this drought, local farmers have undertaken an ambitious, collaborative effort to reduce their own pumping with the goal of achieving sustainability. This export proposal continues to seek funding to move forward despite the fact it would exacerbate local water challenges, even with conservation efforts. In addition to concerns from the District, five San Luis Valley counties are opposed to this proposal."

In 2014, Bennet led a letter with former U.S. Senator Mark Udall (D-Colo.), former U.S. Representative Scott Tipton (R-Colo.), and former U.S. Senator Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) to bring these same responsibilities to the federal government's attention in the face of a similar groundwater export proposal.

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