So, Ron Johnson thinks the Dominquez Dam construction costs would be too high. His first paragraph tells us why it would be worth any amount of money it would cost to get it done.

Since I have been around this valley ever since this project was first proposed, I have a few statistics, not recalls that Ron had, that might bring his thinking up to date. First let me addresss his statement that the project did not go forward because President Carter axed it saying the cost was too high. So it was Carter who shelved it because it never made it to the legislative floor where it might have been approved. His axing it did not make the idea non-feasible. In fact in 1991, those plans were still being considered.

However, in January 1992, a letter from the Department of Interior, Office of Environmental Affairs in Denver and a Ms. Lois D. Cashell, Secretary of the Federal Regulatory Commission in Washington, D.C. stated in a review of an application for the Dominquez Hydro Project, FERC No. 11176:

“Threatened and Endangered Species
DOI has significant concerns regarding the proposed project’s impact on endangered species and their habitats. The following endangered species may occur in the project area or be affected by the proposed project: Colorado squawfish, humpback chub, bonytail chub, razorback sucker. …

We have significant concerns regarding the impacts of the proposed project on the endangered Colorado River fishes. …

The Fish and Wildlife Service … will jeopardize the existence of the listed endangered fish species. …”

Would you believe this letter is still the reason the Dominquez Dam on the Gunnison River is still off limits, non-feasible even though those fish have had 17 years to multiply? Maybe they are supposed to go into non-existence like the dinosaurs. Fisherman would never miss them.

About moving the railroad over, that idea was approved by the then manager of those rails, Sue Grabbler, who said it could be moved by the Union Pacific would not pay for it. That expense could be greatly reduced by using all those inmates in our prisons to move it.

Springfield, Ill., and Flaming Gorge residents will testify their electric rates are at least 10 percent lower than their competitors (Xcel). An energy efficient hydro-electric plant on the dam would out compete them. It would eventually pay for itself so forget the initial costs.

Ron’s closing statement was helpful, keeping that water for us to use here in Colorado instead of sending it off to California will prove to be a great asset especially when that eventual drought does happen. In the meantime, miniature Lake Powell benefits would outweigh all the initial cost. So let the powers that be, federal, state, county and even bond-buyers figure how to get this magnificent project moving.

It night be well to mention here that if they National Conservation Area is approved by our give-away minded senators, even our county commissioners, none of this will happen. It will be off limits forever.

DEDE RANZENBERGER
Palisade

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