Heads-up, Chaffee County. Be very careful before granting Nestle Waters a special use permit to extract native spring water from the Arkansas Valley watershed. Times are changing. What will our water needs be in five years? In 10 years and beyond? And how will water be regulated in the future? In our County? In our State? The far-reaching goal of the 1041 application process is to preserve and protect our natural environment (see Chapter 9 or the 1041 Regulations). During the election last fall, our County Commissioners voiced the opinion that water is our #1 priority. Now is time for the residents of Chaffee County to make sure that our County Commissioners are doing their job and keeping their promise to us.
Nestle is a multi-billion dollar company whose policies and decisions are made thousands of miles from here – this special place we call home. Nestle has said that it will be a good neighbor, but what exactly does that mean? Can an organization with thousands of enterprises around the world and no connection to this valley beyond business really be a good neighbor? Does granting the special use permit to Nestle fit into the long-term vision and the direction we want for the Valley? Ask the hard questions, become informed, take a stand, and show up for the County Commissioners public hearing on March 18th. Don’t let our County and our State be manipulated for out of town, out of County, out of State, out of Country interests. It is time to think locally and consider the sustainable ramifications of the Nestle project to us and our friends and neighbors downstream. We are neighbors and we live here; let’s make sure we all continue to thrive.
Ann Graham is a resident of Salida, Colorado
Please check out the Chaffee County website. Late last week they posted minutes from the 2-27-09 planning commission meeting and Nestle’s rebuttal. Reports from the consultants hired by Nestle are at the office of the commissioners, but I was told they will NOT be posted. Why not? They provide the “meat” for the opposition. Check out especially the following reports: exhibits 3D and 3F.