The Round Mountain Water and Sanitation District continues negotiations with the Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District regarding leasing some 20 acre feet of water from the RMW-owned Johnson Ranch to the UAWCD.

A brief discussion regarding the matter took place during RMW’s regular board of directors’ meeting on June 4.

At that time, chairman Darrell Niles said 20-acre-feet is an insignificant amount of water.

Vice-chair Chris Haga agreed and he compared 20-acre-feet of water on the Johnson Ranch to one cup of water.

Additionally, Haga estimated there was some 490-acre-feet of consumptive use water on the Johnson Ranch.

RMW purchased the 320-acre ranch located south of Westcliffe in 2000 for the purpose of acquiring its water rights.

In Dec. 2008, RMW signed an agreement with the UAWCD stating the two would sit down at the table to negotiate the possible lease of Johnson Ranch water to be used to bring a blanket water augmentation plan to the Valley.

During last Thursday’s meeting, RMW board member John Johnston said he would like to sell the Johnson Ranch prior to leasing water to the UAWCD.

Last month, RMW put the ranch on the market. Only the land would be sold. RMWwould consider leasing some of those water rights to the new owner.

No decision regarding leasing water to the UAWCD was made. The RMW discussed the matter only.

In other business during the RMW meeting, the board:

­REPORTED RMW had received an additional $175,000 from the Department of Local Affairs to complete phase one of a water and sewer improvement project in the works the last two years.

Half of the amount received—$87,500— ­ was in the form of a grant. The remaining $87,500 was a loan and thus RMW must pay the dollars back once the project is completed.

Phase one, which includes new water and sewer lines, a booster station in Silver Cliff to increase water pressure and a new well at the Gallery site south of Westcliffe, must be completed by December.

­TABLED making a final decision regarding whether to purchase or lease a new copy machine for the office. RMW manager Tracey Garcia will further investigate the pros and cons, and bring a recommendation to the next board meeting.

The next board meeting is slated for July 2, at 5 p.m. in the RMW office.

– Nora Drenner