Some 50 Valley residents gathered in the community room at Cliff Lanes bowling center last Thursday to address their concerns regarding Round Mountain Water and Sanitation District’s proposed lease of  20 acre feet of water to the Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District.

RMW originally signed a letter of intent with the UAWCD in late November 2008 to negotiate the lease of some 20-acre feet of Johnson Ranch water to allow the UAWCD to proceed in water court with bringing a water augmentation plan to Custer County.

 RMW later rescinded that letter after concerns were raised that the public had not had the opportunity to provide input.

Prior to opening the floor to public comment, RMW president pro-tem Chris Haga answered written questions from the Concerned Citizens for Cuter County organization, commonly known as C-4.

Haga said it is legal for RMW to lease its water outside its service area. “This was determined in our water court case,” he said.

Haga said the water was designed for use by the district or as the district seems appropriate. Also cited was that RMW currently has excess water on the Johnson Ranch and if it is not put to beneficial use the district could lose the right to use it. “We are not jeopardizing the two towns’ water needs, we’re just trying to use it instead of spilling it,” said RMW director Darrell Niles.

Niles also said that 20 acre-feet of water equates to only five percent of the total water available on the Johnson Ranch.

Paul Snyder of C-4 disagreed, stating his research into the matter indicated 20 acre feet equated to 10 percent of the total Johnson Ranch water.

Also cited by Niles and Haga was that RMW currently serves 500 customers and with the water rights currently in place, RMW could easily serve another 500.

Also noted was the Custer County commissioners asked UAWCD to bring a water augmentation plan to the Valley to address failing augmentation plans currently in place in the county.

Haga and Niles said it just makes sense for the two entities to work together for the good of the entire community.

Alice Proctor asked if ranchers could lease water from RMW. Haga’s response was it would not be feasible for RMW to do so. Proctor responded by saying if ranchers had to buy water from UAWCD it would be too expensive.

Jerry Seifert asked what the terms of the lease were. Haga said UAWCD was seeking a  25-year lease, however, RMW preferred a shorter lease so negotiations were continuing.

Vic Barnes stated the RMW board needs additional information before making a final decision. Barnes also cautioned the RMW board to make sure the two towns are covered for the long term.

Following the public hearing, the RMW board unanimously signed an amended letter of agreement with the UAWCD. That amended letter states RMW will continue to negotiate the lease of 20-acre feet of Johnson Ranch water to the UAWCD.

The letter is now in the hands of the UAWCD for its approval.

Attendees at the Jan. 8 public meeting included Vic and Jacke Barnes, Randy and Claricy Rusk, Mark and Doris Dembosky, Don Bishop, Allen Butler, Jerry Lacy, Jeff and Dianna Banning, Melinda Ruzanski, Christy Veltrie, Joe Cascarelli, Paul Snyder and Marty Frick, Bob Gilchrist and Ron Keyston.

Also in attendance were Christina MacLeod, Bob and Carole Mallett, Grant Lewinski and Layne Hovey, Bob Dreher, Coy Meyers, Tim Kelling, Alice and Charles Proctor, Gerry Dearborn, Bob Thomason, Jerry Seifert, Jerry Livengood, Brian Riley and UAWCD local representatives Bill Donley and Bob Senderhauf, among others.

– Nora Drenner