PPACG takes stand against proposed water regulations

Posted: Friday, January 13, 2012, 2:15 pm
By Pat Hill
Pikes Peak Courier View
http://www.ourcoloradonews.com/tellercounty/

In a scathing letter to Gov. John Hickenlooper about proposed regulations by Colorado’s Water Quality Control Commission, the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments threw out the first salvo this past week.

At issue is the commission’s proposal to mandate regulations that would decrease the amount of nutrients that flow into Colorado’s stream beds. The regulations govern the operation of wastewater treatment facilities and would require significant reduction in the amount of phosphorous and nitrogen discharged from the facilities.

“We took a position against it; this could cost up to $2 billion just to the small water providers but could go as high as $20 billion annually,” said Jim Ignatius, PPACG treasurer and Teller County commission chair. “They are basing their policy decision on speculative numbers. It was very discouraging to learn that the state might want to do this.”

The proposed regulations are at odds with Hickenlooper’s executive order which directs state agencies not to adopt requirements more restrictive than federal law, or, if so, ensure that state funding is available to cover the costs, states the letter in part.
Calling into question the evidence, the letter states that the PPACG does not object to improved treatment when there is rational scientific basis to conclude that nitrogen discharge is, in fact, causing an impairment to a water body.

And in case there is any doubt about the PPACG’s position, the letter lays it on the line:

“Why anyone would structure a rule to prevent the consideration of relevant scientific information and cost-effective solutions regarding the actual need for nitrogen removal is not known, but it is patently unreasonable and wasteful of municipal resources.”

The commission, a division of Colorado Department of Health and Environment, has scheduled a hearing March 12 to establish numeric nutrient values for phosphorous, nitrogen and chlorophyll.

“At a time when our economy is struggling you don’t want to be putting more regulations and build this on data that isn’t even proven,” Ignatius said. “It was a unanimous decision to send this letter. In fact, there was a gentleman there from the governor’s office kind of encouraging us to write the letter so the governor can take a stand against it.”

For information about the upcoming hearing go to www.cdphe.state.co.us.