News Release Archive

Reclamation and Pine River Irriation District Extend Recreation Management Contract for Vallecito Reservoir

Media Contact: Mark Chiarito, (970) 385-6577, mchiarito@usbr.gov
Justyn Hock, jhock@usbr.gov

For Release: June 04, 2009

The Bureau of Reclamation's Western Colorado Area Office (Reclamation) announced today that the recreation management contract for Vallecito Reservoir between the Pine River Irrigation District (PRID) and Reclamation has been extended for 25 years. The contract was set to expire on June 11, 2009, and Reclamation and PRID have spent the last few months discussing changes which will allow PRID to continue long-term recreation management. These changes include establishment of a user fee system for the reservoir, installation of public information signs, short-term extension of the existing marina concession contracts, etc. Pursuant to the contract with Reclamation, PRID is authorized to collect user fees for the administration, development, operation and maintenance of water-based recreation at the reservoir.

Reclamation and PRID are hosting a public meeting at 6 p.m., June 17, 2009, at the Vallecito Community Center, 17252 County Road 501. The purpose of the meeting is to inform the public about the above-mentioned contract extension, changes at the reservoir, and answer questions. For more information, please contact Mark Chiarito, Bureau of Reclamation, at 970-385-6577, or Hal Pierce, Superintendent, Pine River Irrigation District, at 970-884-2558.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.