The San Juan Water Conservancy District (SJWCD) Board of Directors discussed grant opportunities and studies for its reservoir project at Running Iron Ranch and options for improving fencing at the ranch at its April 20 meeting.
SJWCD president Randy Cooper opened the discussion, explaining that he spoke with the SJWCD’s engineering firm, RJH Consultants, about maintaining momentum on the project and asked it to outline next steps following the district receiving feedback from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation on the project earlier this spring.
Cooper stated that RJH indicated that working on a water supply and demand study would be the next step, which the board had previously agreed with.
He added that this study would require working with the Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District (PAWSD) to understand water supply and demand in the community.
Cooper stated that RJH would assemble a proposal in the next two to three weeks and present it to the board.
In response to board member questions, Cooper also explained that the study would likely look 50 years into the future and would look at municipal, agricultural and other water needs.
The board then briefly discussed PAWSD’s plans to improve connectivity between PAWSD’s Stevens Lake and Lake Hatcher reservoirs and how the study by RJH might also assist PAWSD in those efforts.
Cooper indicated that a comprehensive study might take up to a year to complete.
The board then moved on to discussing a grant opportunity from the Nature Conservancy, which SJWCD board member Charles Riehm explained is focused on drought and flood mitigation.
He added that the district might not be a precise fit for the grant, but that it has a relatively simple application, so the board should apply for it.
SJWCD board member Candace Jones suggested that a board member should call the Nature Conservancy to see if its projects would be suitable, which Riehm agreed to do.
Riehm then discussed fencing conditions at the Running Iron Ranch, explaining that he surveyed the fences with Steve Laverty, who owns an adjoining ranch, and they determined that there are three options for addressing fencing issues on the ranch.
Riehm explained that the district could shut off access from the ranch to U.S. 160 by repairing about 100 yards of fencing near the road, which would prevent cattle from going through the ranch to the highway.
He commented that the district “absolutely ought to do that.”
Riehm explained that, after surveying the entire fenceline around the property, it appeared that much of it would require repair, but only small sections would require replacement.
He added that this aligns with PAWSD’s assessment of the fence conditions.
PAWSD is the joint owner of the property with the SJWCD, and the districts are currently in the process of drafting a settlement to litigation about PAWSD’s efforts to sell the property without the SJWCD’s approval.
Riehm explained that repairing the full fenceline might cost between $2,000 and $4,000, and repairing the section by the highway might cost $1,500.
He added that PAWSD estimated that it would cost $35 an hour for labor to repair the fences if the person doing the repairs brought their own tools.
Riehm added that Laverty is potentially interested in grazing cattle on the ranch in exchange for maintaining the fences, gates and other infrastructure on the property, which he commented that the board could discuss more in the future.
Following a brief discussion of leasing options, Riehm explained that he was seeking board approval for him and Cooper to move forward with getting an estimate from a local fencing repair contractor for repairs on the ranch.
Jones moved to authorize Cooper and Riehm to get an estimate and an assessment of other maintenance priorities at the ranch and how long they could be deferred.
She added that her motion would include authorizing Riehm and Cooper to move forward with having the contractor do the fencing repairs along the highway.
SJWCD treasurer Joe Tedder noted that the district does not currently have money in its budget assigned to ranch management.
He commented that, if the cost is small, it could be managed through contingency funds, but that he would prefer to do a budget amendment and reallocate funds to management.
The board then discussed cattle leasing with Laverty further, with Jones noting that Laverty is willing to maintain the fences, but is not interested in taking on the repair project.
She added that there might be other people interested in leasing the property for grazing, as well.
Following more discussion, the board voted unanimously to accept Jones’ motion.
josh@pagosasun.com
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