Spanish Peaks sewer line stalls in Cuchara

by Carol Dunn
CUCHARA- The Cucharas Sanitation and Water District has hit a snag in its sewer line extension for the Spanish Peaks subdivision. Not all landowners are signing the easements the District wanted in order to run the line along the most efficient route. A 340-foot section which General Manager Bob Northup characterized as “the easiest part” is finished. And it’s all uphill from here, literally. On the properties at the base of the hill that require easements, the District is offering the landowners a free sewer tap, but a few landowners are asking for additional remuneration, which is delaying the project. Northup said there is a platted eight-foot utilities easement which the District can use, but it will be a little more difficult because of large trees in the way.
At its June 8 meeting, the Board approved adjusting the water tap EQRs for the Timbers, which will now officially have 5 EQRs, and the Dog Bar, which will now be on record with 4 EQRs.
The Board reminded the public about the county-wide fire ban, urging them to “Please be careful with fires.” Northup told the World Journal that there will be no water restrictions at this time, primarily because of the extreme fire danger. The District would prefer if residents do not allow their lawns to dry out too much. And he added, “The Creek has water in it.”
Landowners of 16 illegal ponds have signed up to be part of the District’s Substitute Water Supply Plan, which addresses pond evaporation augmentation. There were several landowners at the meeting who commented during the public forum portion of the meeting.
Northup is still working with the Forest Service on the pending Britton pond project. And he is still negotiating with the landowner to purchase a small parcel of land adjacent to the project.