Fishermen in Colorado discovered a massive fish die-off when
they arrived at the ole fishing hole on Friday morning. Around the shores of
the pond were over 300 dead trout, kokanee salmon and carp. It wasn’t a toxic
spill from a mining operation, a run-off of fertilizer from neighboring
agricultural activities, or poison from a terrorist operation. No! Rather it
was another example of government-in-charge.
The lake was built by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and
mostly, but not completely, turned over to the National Forest service to
oversee the lake shores and any dry portions of the lake bottom. The level of
the lake fluctuates due to it’s main purpose, irrigation. The irrigation water
rights are managed by the Montezuma Water district a third government entity
involved. The fish are regulated by the Colorado Division of Parks and
Wildlife.
Over two years ago a local fisherman reported to reservoir
officials that the pipe that fed fresh water to the ponds was above the level
of the river that was the source of the fresh water. They toured the ponds and
discovered that indeed the fisherman was correct, there was a problem. No fresh
water was entering the ponds.
For two years they have disputed who is responsible for the
pipe. The Bureau of Reclamation that designed and built the lake or The
National Forest who is responsible to oversee the lake. It seems the pipe is
not listed in documents anywhere. So this winter, when ice overtook the pond,
as it does every winter, there was not enough oxygen below the ice to sustain
the fish. This week when the ice melted, the fish floated to the top, belly-up.
Everyone who ever owned a goldfish knows what that means.
If a rancher, farmer, or private business enterprise had
been responsible for such wanton destruction of government property they would
have been arrested, tried and sent to prison. When they got out, they would
have been sent back again because a federal judicial bureaucrat might think
they got off too easy. At least that is what happened to the Oregon ranchers
who, while burning pasture, a time accepted method of improving grass growth,
accidently allowed their fire to encroach on federal land.
There is a simple solution to the Colorado problem. Placing
boulders in the river to raise the level above the pipes would solve
everything. It would take a private owner a whole afternoon to get it done.
Maybe it would take a whole day if he had to rent equipment. The government
should have been able to do it in two years. They already own the equipment.
That my friend, is what is wrong with big government.
Information and photo from the Cortez Journal
