Two county sites have received official designation as Groundwater Guardian Green Sites through the national Groundwater Foundation.
This program was developed to recognize stewardship of groundwater by encouraging managers to implement, measure, and document their groundwater-friendly practices.
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He said the state has great surface water protection, including a comprehensive storm water regulatory program that San Miguel County helped strengthen.
But groundwater is a different story. The county has many exempt wells and the quality and amount of water being pulled from them is unknown, he said.
Program participation requires documentation of current practices related to pesticide and fertilizer use, water use, pollution prevention, water quality, and environmental stewardship, according to the foundation's Web site (www.groundwater.org).
These practices are especially relevant as oil and gas, uranium and oil shale begin to boom in Western Colorado, Goodtimes said.
“If done without proper oversight and care, these strategic energy industries could potentially pollute our precious groundwater and damage the region for generations."
San Miguel County received official designation for two local sites: the county fairgrounds and Down Valley Park. One more application will be filed concerning the Road and Bridge Shops, according to Open Space and Recreation coordinator Linda Luther.
"It's an analysis of what you have onsite and how you manage those products so that you don't contribute to water pollution," Luther said. This is the county's first year of participation.
The Groundwater Guardian Green Site Program is important because it demonstrates the county’s willingness to take the lead in natural resource preservation, Goodtimes said.
Designation through the program is based on a site's current practices related to pesticide and fertilizer use, water use, managing sources of pollution, protecting water quality and environmental stewardship.
Sites must earn a minimum of 70 percent for designation, which is maintained annually with application updates.
Contact Lisa Huynh at lisah@montrosepress.com
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