COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- More than half a dozen representatives from various government agencies came together to raise awareness for the need of government funding for watershed repair. They claim Washington D.C. has left them without aid after the Waldo Canyon Fire. A press conference was held at the intersection of 31st Street and Pikes Peak Avenue, to discuss the failure of the House of Representatives passing the Emergency Watershed Protection program.
The United States Senate passed a disaster aid package for Hurricane Sandy that included $125 million for the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program. However the House of Representatives failed to vote on the bill before adjourning its session on January 2.
Congressman Doug Lamborn wrote a letter to Mayor Bach expressing his frustration with the situation, saying in part:
"I was very disappointed when the House Rules Committee rejected the amendment without even allowing consideration on the House floor."
Congressman Lamborn, along with Senator Mark Udall and Senator Michael Bennet, pledged their continued support for the success of the EWP.
For now, officials are depending on each other for the safety and success of the entire region.
"It's absolutely essential," said Manitou Springs mayor, Marc Snyder. "We're a town of 5,000 people and we try our best to take care of our needs. But something like this is just so beyond our scope. Without this regional effort I'm not sure what we'd be able to do."
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