Tax roll

deadline looms



By RUTH HEIDE

ALAMOSA — Time is running out for the San Luis Valley’s first water management sub-district to get on the 2008 tax rolls.

Steve Vandiver, manager for the Rio Grande Water Conservation District that is sponsoring the water management sub-districts, told members of the Rio Grande Roundtable this week that the first part of December is the latest that the sub-district can get its fee structure to the Valley counties to make it on the 2008 tax rolls. “So the push to try to get something done for this next tax year is going to be mighty close,” Vandiver said.

He said the water district is trying to work something out with objectors to the first sub-district’s management plan to allow at least the basic fee portion of the plan to go forward so the sub-district would begin seeing revenue next year to get on its feet.

After the Rio Grande Water Conservation District approved the sub-district’s management plan, three entities filed objections with the district court. Those objecting to the district’s approval of the plan were Skyview Cooling, Farming Tech and Bill Ellithorpe.

“That process is ongoing to get the objectors to allow a portion of the plan to go into effect while the issues remaining could be brought to the court,” Vandiver said.

He said he hoped the court would schedule a hearing on the objectors’ concerns the week of November 26.

November 26 is the deadline for objections to be filed with water court regarding the state engineer’s approval of the first sub-district’s management plan. District Judge O. John Kuenhold would preside over both the water and district court objections and could opt to hear them at the same time, Vandiver said. “Those two cases may be considered simultaneously by Judge Kuenhold,” Vandiver said.

Vandiver reminded the roundtable members that the goal of the sub-district is to reduce well pumping to stabilize the Valley’s aquifers and minimize or eliminate injuries to senior water rights. “It will be done through a reduction in pumping by reducing the number of acres that are being irrigated at the present time.”

The first sub-district lies in the closed basin area of the Valley. Vandiver said other water management sub-districts are in various stages of formation including sub-districts on the Conejos, Trinchera, Saguache Creek and one south and west of Alamosa.

“There are a number of efforts going on to try to bring one or more sub-districts into the fold,” he said.