This letter to the editor was addressed to the Mountain Mail and references an article published on Friday, March 20.
Dear Editor:
Your article “Nestle project flows toward continued April meeting” failed to address a number of key facts.
First based on good faith belief, Frank McMurray sold one of the land parcels to Nestle, conditioned on approval of the project, a fact he neglected to disclose and your paper neglected to investigate.
In addition, one of the few other persons who spoke in favor of the project also would likely have a personal financial interest in the project as she will be able to sell her agricultural water rights to Nestle and perhaps sell an easement for the pipeline across her property.
Second, your article doesn’t note the overwhelming number of speakers were opposed. Not a single person who spoke in opposition was quoted directly. A few facts presented from non-biased experts:
- Delia G. Malone, Ecologist for Colorado Natural Heritage Program:
When the withdrawal project is viewed in the context of the entire system the conclusion of no negative impact may not be supported. Test pumping data indicates that there is the potential for substantial dewatering of the aquifer…impacts to wetland vegetation and habitat would likely be negative and significant.
- Dan Guimond and Brian Duffany of Economic Planning Systems, Inc.:
No permanent jobs will be created, in fact net job loss will result, in terms of benefits job creation can be waived in the analysis. Nestlé’s estimates on retail spending are almost insignificant given the uncertainty in assumptions. The overall fiscal benefit would be relatively minor.
- W.W Wheeler and Associates, Inc.:
The pumping will result in lagged depletions in spring flow into the Arkansas River, such impacts would be extensive. There is no assurance that Nestlé would not cause the dry-up of irrigated lands in Chaffee County due to the impacts of its project. The pumping test used by Nestle was to short in duration to produce any adequate data. Nestle fails to address the amount, location and timing of Aurora’s water releases to replace the 200 acre feet of water trucked to Denver from Chaffee County. This water could be forever removed from Chaffee County use by augmenting the removed flow with water held in Pueblo Reservoir or by exchange of Rocky Ford consumptive credits.
- Mr. Culichia of Felt, Monson & Culichia, LLC noted the following:
Nestlé’s assumption that nearly $493,500 will be generated over 30 years is based on speculation. These springs are unique water resources in Chaffee County. The development of these springs for a local bottling plant or another fish hatchery would bring local benefits to the County not present in the current extraction and export report.
Please report fairly and accurately and leave your bias on the editorial page.
Daniel F. Zettler
Many points to comment on here, but I will restrict my comment to the point that Frank McMurray [sic] sold one of the parcels to Nestle and thereby stands to gain in this deal. Please check your facts on that. McMurry did recently sell a riverfronting property in that immediate area. However, it was NOT the Nestle land. I believe, based on research I did at Chaffee County Assessor and records office, as well as the map I purchased there of sale deeds involved, that Joe Coggan and Hal Hagan, not McMurry, sold the land to Nestle.
Also, my impression of the MM report on the 3/18 meeting was that they were neutral and the opposition to Nestle was heavily represented.