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Councilmember Bagley Proposes Discussion of Fracking Language in Windy Gap Ballot

During the city council meeting Tuesday night, Councilmember Bagley brought attention to the Windy Gap Firming Project. "It's campaign season and one of the topics is Windy Gap," said Bagley.
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September 19, 2017 City Council Meeting (Sergio R. Angeles/Longmont Observer)

This content was originally published by the Longmont Observer and is licensed under a Creative Commons license.

During the city council meeting Tuesday night, Councilmember Bagley brought attention to the Windy Gap Firming Project.

"It's campaign season and one of the topics is Windy Gap," said Bagley. "I'm hearing a lot of allegations that part of the reason why we initially opted to put it on the ballot, to begin with, is because if there is any excess water then that water would potentially be used for fracking."

Bagley continued to say that to "put that at rest", the council should discuss adding language to the ballot that says "we won't sell or lease water to fracking."

Harold Dominguez, City Manager of Longmont, responded by saying "that it was too late this time, but that it can be a part of the next election cycle."

As it currently stands, the ballot question does not specify how excess water could be used or sold.

"I still think we should put it on the agenda and at least discuss it," responded Bagley. "Having the discussion and getting it on the record and deciding what we're going to do I think is beneficial."

Mayor Dennis Coombs said "it is fine" to add it to a future agenda.

Jeff Moore, Councilmember for Ward II, has also suggested adding an amendment to the city charter. In his opinion piece titled Vote Yes on Windy Gap Ballot Question 2J, which was published September 11, 2017, Councilmember Moore wrote that "a way to prevent future city councils from leasing this water to others for use in fracking could be via an amendment to the city charter."

If passed by voters, an issuance of bonds would help fund the construction of a water supply reservoir for Longmont, known as the Windy Gap Firming Project. Election day is November 7, 2017.