In western states like Colorado, where users need a permit to appropriate surface water so that senior right holders are first in line to get their water in times of scarcity, the ongoing drought creates two issues.
Under the law, people who create ponds on their private land without legal permits are, in effect, stealing water from downstream users who have valid and senior appropriation rights. Colorado’s NBC affiliate 9 News says that the state engineers are cracking down on private ponds that store water meant to travel to downstream users who have water rights.
But the drought also creates an increased risk of wildfire. Some Colorado firefighters say they need the illegal ponds. Their voices are being heard in Senate Bill SB22-114, titled “Fire Suppression Ponds Water Rights.”
The bill, which 9 News reports has already passed the state senate, would allow county commissioners to petition the state engineer to establish protections for ponds used by fire protection districts. The ponds would have to meet certain criteria, such as being built before 1972. Irrigation districts with senior rights are concerned about the precedent and are working with state legislators to improve the bill’s language.
Katika majimbo ya magharibi kama Colorado, ambapo watumiaji wanahitaji kibali cha kutumia maji ya uso ili wamiliki wa haki za juu wawe wa kwanza kupata maji yao katika nyakati za upungufu, ukame unaoendelea huunda masuala mawili. Kwa mujibu wa sheria, watu wanaotengeneza vidimbwi kwenye ardhi yao ya kibinafsi bila kibali cha kisheria, kwa kweli wanaiba maji kutoka kwa watumiaji wa chini wa mto ambao wana haki halali na za juu za matumizi. "Kampuni ya NBC ya Colorado, 9 News, ilisema kuwa ""mashirika ya serikali yanashambulia mabwawa ya kibinafsi ambayo yanahifadhi maji ambayo yanapaswa kusafiri kwa watumiaji wa chini wa mto ambao wana haki za maji.""" Lakini ukame pia huongeza hatari ya moto wa mwituni. Baadhi ya wazima-moto wa Colorado wanasema wanahitaji vidimbwi visivyo halali. "Sheria ya sheria ya Seneti ya SB 22-114 inayoitwa ""Haki za Maji ya Maji ya Maji ya Moto"" inatoa fursa kwa maafisa wa kaunti kuomba mhandisi wa serikali kuanzisha ulinzi kwa mabwawa yanayotumiwa na wilaya za ulinzi wa moto." Bwawa hilo linapaswa kuwa na viungo vya ujenzi vya miaka miwili au zaidi, kama vile kuwa lilijengwa kabla ya mwaka wa 1972. Wilaya za umwagiliaji maji zenye haki za juu zina wasiwasi juu ya mfano huo na zinafanya kazi na wabunge wa jimbo kuboresha lugha ya muswada huo.