Anyone who believes in the one-size-fits-all approach that is typical of Washington could believe most anything the feds propose. It is a generally accepted axiom that local problems are best fixed locally. The feds have been using every means they can think of to get control of our water, including threatening ski areas with loss of their permits if they didn’t sign over their water rights.
Since I don’t know any of the proponents, I will accept for the moment that they are honest people with a difference of opinion with respect to the ability of the feds to do what is good for them. It is well-known that the feds are wont to make up regulations as they go along, even when they have no authority to do so. Nevertheless, I would like to hear the detailed rationale that makes some people believe that Washington can do a better job for us than we can do for ourselves.
Dave West
Pagosa Springs
