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Congressman John T. Salazar -- Defending Rural Values -- Third District of Colorado
 
For immediate release: October 1, 2009
 
 
Contact: (202) 225-4761
Eric Wortman, Communications Director
 
 

Congressman Salazar Saves Funding for Platoro Reservoir as Member of House/Senate Conference Committee

 
 


$600,000 will help fix dam safety issue at Platoro Reservoir

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman John Salazar, a member of the House Appropriations Committee who was appointed to serve on the Joint House and Senate Conference Committee, secured $600,000 in federal funding for much needed dam safety upgrades at Platoro Reservoir.  The funding was requested by Congressman Salazar and was included in the 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill, but was in danger of being cut because it wasn’t included in the Senate version of bill. The measure passed the House of Representatives today by a vote of 308-114.    

Platoro Reservoir is used for flood control and for re-regulating the flows of the Conejos River for irrigation.  Platoro Reservoir, part of the Bureau’s San Luis Valley Project, is on the Rio Grande Compact Stream.  The reservoir is used by the Conejos Water Conservancy District as well as a large number of hunters, fisherman and recreational enthusiasts.  The Bureau of Reclamation deemed the 8-inch fill piping to be insufficient.  The funds will go towards further inspection and to install a larger bypass system to carry the increased bypass flows.  

“Platoro Reservoir, built in 1951, can no longer handle our wintertime by-pass flows creating a critical dam safety issue.  This funding will help preserve the life and use of the reservoir for agriculture, flood-control, and recreational use,” said Congressman Salazar.  “This is the best day of my legislative career.  I joined the House Appropriations Committee to fight for projects like this – our infrastructure in the West is aging and in dire need of repair.”

“The Conejos Water Conservancy District Board of Directors, the operators of the reservoir are very grateful to Congressman Salazar for his work on obtaining funds to improve the safety conditions of Platoro Reservoir.  His success is greatly appreciated by all those who use the Conejos River.  The cost of this project is beyond the District’s financial ability, but these funds along with other funds the District has accumulated will help improve the safety of this valuable reservoir,” said Bob Robins, Manager of the Conejos Water Conservancy District.  

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