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Congressman John T. Salazar -- Defending Rural Values -- Third District of Colorado
  For immediate release  
  May 8, 2007  
 

Rep. Salazar Responds To Fountain Creek Flood In Pueblo

 
 

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. John Salazar (CO-3) made the following statement today after Fountain Creek flooded sections of land near the Pueblo mall.  Several homes and at least two businesses were flooded. 

“I am thankful that no was injured in yesterday’s flood that sent up to 8 feet of muddy water into the north side of Pueblo along Dillon Drive. After the devastating flood of 1965, the people of Pueblo know from experience that any flooding in our city should be handled very seriously, and that all precautions are taken to avoid future floods.

“I commend Pueblo’s emergency responders, the public works crews, and other local groups who were first on the scene working diligently to control the flooding as much as possible.  I have been in contact with officials from the governor’s office and I will continue to stand by until I’m reassured that a strong, reliable levy will be put in place to prevent this from happening again.

“Over the years, nearby residents of Fountain Creek have had to face sporadic and often damaging floods.  That is why I submitted an official statement last year to the Bureau of Reclamation during the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) public comment process for the Southern Delivery System. I requested that the bureau look at flood control especially when Fountain Creek is used to deliver exchange flows and wastewater back to the Arkansas River.  I believe that it is vital that flood control protections be built for the communities downstream.

“Today I spoke at a hearing for the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water Resources concerning national levee and dam safety programs.  As a Coloradan who sits on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I understand the importance of repairing our nation’s deteriorating public dams and levees.  This critical infrastructure provides our communities with the drinking water, flood protection, irrigation, and recreation they need to prosper.  But these types of daily benefits rely upon the investment we make into repairing and building safe dams and levees.

"It is vital for us to invest in this type of infrastructure, and I will continue to do everything I can to ensure that our dams and levees are strong and reliable and that our communities are safe as a result.”

 

 
 

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