Sen. Ellen Roberts was quoted in many papers this week as saying, “We are between a rock and a dry place.” The issue of Western drought and water usage are becoming national topics now. Maria’s Bookshop recommended I read Cadillac Desert by Mark Reisner and Water by Steve Solomon when I wanted to learn about water history in the West. For those who haven’t read these books, they are worthwhile and will enlighten you on many of the water issues we face today. For many who have read these books, they will probably celebrate the passing of Floyd Dominy and lament the passing of Edward Abbey. But these characters are of a different era and probably would not be involved in today’s debates.
So, who will be today’s heroes and lead the current conversations? Who can we go to today if we want to be a part of the solution? Roberts, Steve Harris (a prominent local water engineer) and Bruce Whitehead, board member of Southwest Water Conservation District, are taking steps toward coming up with solutions to today’s problems, such as SB 17, which proposes to limit the use of agricultural water for lawn irrigation. I commend all three for having the political will power and common sense to work together to propose workable solutions to our current water issues. Are the current ideas the best solutions? I do not know. I only know I support all three and their teams for taking these courageous steps. We need more people in politics like Ellen Roberts.
Allison Morrissey, candidate, La Plata County treasurer
Hesperus
