My husband says, “No, what we have is an over saturation of people problem.”He may be right; however, the dilemma is still the same. And the answer seems to be so simple – STOP THE DEVELOPMENT! If the federal government is concerned enough to do a geological study – results won’t be available until 2006, and independent geologists funded by the Colorado Water Conservation Board, the National Science Foundation and the Parker Water and Sanitation District are concerned because their studies show the El Paso County water problems are moving east. And the county’s sod farmers are in court over “dwindling water supplies” and my neighbors and I are experiencing lower water pressures, why aren’t Ray O’Sullivan and his agents showing a lot more concern than I saw at the neighborhood information meeting on May 6?I stood there listening in awe as the water engineer showed the intricate plans for storage and delivery, all the while thinking, “Great plans of delivery as long as you’ve got the product to deliver. But just where does he think this precious commodity is going to come from when there is no more?However, as much as I tried to get a definitive answer for the latter part of my question, it never came. Unless these developers have a direct connection to Mother Nature and the future of her divine gifts, there is no way in heaven they can possibly assure us that we are safe from the news that has been trying to get through to us from all sides and for some years now. Water, especially in El Paso County, is a non-renewable source, and we are pushing its limits by all the urban sprawl we’ve let happen here.But you know, if I took at face value what I heard at that meeting, I’d think all was being handled in a way that protects me and mine in the future. And maybe Ray O’Sullivan really is a good guy who wants to do right by us. It all sounds great as long as I don’t acknowledge that cloying feeling in the deep recesses of my primal psyche that keeps trying to get my attention and remind me of my number one basic need for survival—W-A-T-E-R!It is so mind-boggling to be reading all the problems we are having concerning water shortages and then to drive through the urban sprawl that keeps on saturating the land with people and all their water needs. I want to scream STOP- don’t you get it? We have a problem here! And I am finally freaked out enough that I want to be heard and am willing to take some action. Thankfully, I am not alone. Neighbors have been getting together over this latest developer’s dream, bordering Curtis Road, Falcon Highway, Judge Orr Road and Peyton Highway. If you are as concerned as we are about developers’ desire to bring urban life to rural life, please join us in our attempt to at least try to maintain the quality of life we moved here to experience. Not only is water at stake, but also our rural community.Say goodbye to wondrous starry nights, as our skies never darken thanks to monstrous electric lights surrounding new developments. Say hello to congested rural roads that are not animal friendly. Say goodbye to choice as developers give us exactly what their pockets demand – crowded, congested areas of moneymaking possibilities that threaten to turn us into the cities we moved here to escape. Stay informed. As an organized group of concerned citizens, we have a voice. That voice needs to be heard at our city planning and council meetings. If you don’t make the effort to be heard. you don’t have the right to complain. If you are interested in being notified about meetings with regard to the 5,500 new residential sites mentioned above, either check this paper for meeting announcements, or e-mail me at jill@elpasotel.net.Jill Spangenberg***Editors note: Jill is referencing the Santa Fe Springs development, which runs north of Judge Orr Road between Curtis and J.D. Johnson roads. The updated plan by developer Ray O’Sullivan, calls for 5,370 homes on 6,420 acres, with the homes clustered on the western half of the acreage. O’Sullivan also increased the original 28 percent of open space to 42 percent, which includes a publicly accessed trail system.In May, eastern plains residents were able to view the plans and talk to developers and county planners at a community forum sponsored by Ray O’Sullivan. Several public hearings will be scheduled, and residents are encouraged to give ongoing input. The NFH will keep you updated on the hearings and progress of the Santa Fe development.
