For Immediate Release: May 17, 2010
Contact: (202) 225-4761
Eric Wortman, Communications Director
Contact: (202) 536-6190
Edward Stern, Deputy Press Secretary
Eric Wortman, Communications Director
Contact: (202) 536-6190
Edward Stern, Deputy Press Secretary
Salazar stands up for farmers and ranchers during field hearing in Northern Colorado
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman John T. Salazar joined Congresswoman Betsey Markey and House Natural Resources Subcommittee Chairwoman Grace Napolitano for a congressional field hearing on water, agriculture and urban use at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colorado.
“Water on the Western Slope is already over appropriated,” said Salazar, a member of the Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee. “We simply don't have more water to give. Urban areas on the Front Range need to utilize technologies and take other steps to conserve more if they are going to meet the projected growth in demand.”
Demand for water on Colorado’s Front Range is expected to increase rapidly in the coming years, doubling by the year 2050. Meeting the increase in demand by urban areas without harming agriculture was a major concern for Salazar.
“We can't provide water for urban lawns and golf courses at the expense of agriculture,” said Salazar. “We risk drying up the land and driving out agriculture. If we become dependent on other countries for our food, we surely will lose our freedoms.”
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