I appreciated the editorial (Herald, Feb. 10) honoring the leadership and contributions that John Porter, chairman, and Steve Fearn, vice chairman, made to the Southwestern Water Conservation District Board over their 25 years of service to Southwest Colorado.
I have personal knowledge of their work, leadership, statesmanship and diplomacy over that time to resolve significant water issues that have affected and continue to affect us all.
During their “watch,” they were instrumental in construction of Lake Nighthorse, protecting Southwest Colorado water rights under the Colorado River Compact, developing the San Juan River endangered fish recovery program, the Animas River Stakeholders Group (which was reducing mine drainage before it was fashionable), the Water Information Program to provide basic water information, the annual children’s water festival, providing grants to hundreds of needs ... the list goes on and on.
They set an example of how to compromise to resolve difficult and complex water issues.
Steve Harris
Durango
