NorthPlatteBasinWaterSupplyandNeedsReport

• Basin Roundtable: North Platte
• Title: Water Supply & Needs Report for the North Platte Basin
• Date: 6/1/2006
• Author: CDM
• Basin Roundtables - Doc Type: Needs Assessment Documents

Section 1
Introduction

Significant water conservation has already
occurred in many areas.

8. Environmental and recreational uses of water
are expected to increase with population growth.
These uses help support Colorado's tourism
industry, provide recreational and environmental
benefits for our citizens, and are an important
industry in many parts of the state. Without a
mechanism to fund environmental and
recreational enhancement beyond the project
mitigation measures required by law, conflicts
among M&I, agricultural, recreational, and
environmental users could intensify.

9. The ability of smaller, rural water providers and
agricultural water users to adequately address
their existing and future water needs is
significantly affected by their financial
capabilities.

10. While SWSI evaluated water needs and solutions
through 2030, very few M&I water providers have
identified supplies beyond 2030. Beyond 2030,
growing demands may require more aggressive
solutions.

These Findings and the Recommendations found in
Section 11.3 of the SWSI Report were drawn from all
aspects of the SWSI process. However, they should not
be viewed as consensus products of the SWSI Basin
Roundtables.

1.4 Major Findings in the North
Platte Basin

Below is an overview of the individual issues in the North
Platte Basin identified in the SWSI Report These
findings are provided here to assist the reader in linking
issues in the North Platte Basin to SWSI implementation
and to the goals set forth by the Interbasin Compact
Process.

. One of Colorado's only basins with concern over lack
of growth and economic development

. There is a desire to ensure protection of existing
water supplies, and a concern over the impact of the
lack of forest management It is important that
Endangered Species issues on the Platte River in
Central Nebraska are successfully resolved and in a

S:\1177\Basin Reports\North Platte\S1_North Platte.doc

manner that does not put pressure on North Platte
water users to reduce existing uses.

. The equitable apportionment decree quantifies the
amount of available water and lands that can be
irrigated.

1.5 SWSI Phase 2

The SWSI Report was completed in 2004 and
established a path forward for SWSI based on its
findings. Phase 2 is expected to conclude in mid-2006;
however, full implementation of SWSI elements will take
place over a period of years and decades. In tandem, the
Interbasin Compact Process further establishes the
framework for long-term water supply planning in
Colorado on an interbasin basis. Helping ensure
Colorado's water future is a complex and difficult
challenge. Addressing our water future means that we
must ensure the social, economic, and cultural health
and integrity of all of our river basins.

Goals should be met by developing sound
implementable objectives that can be met regularly over
a longer term if SWSI's success is to be capitalized on.
We now know, based on the SWSI Basin Roundtable
information, Colorado can potentially meet 80 percent
of its M&I water needs by 2030; however, some water
suppliers may need help building infrastructure,
mitigating and permitting projects, enhancing and
improving the environment, and conserving water.
We also now know that the state can reassure the
General Assembly and other state decision makers to an
extent never before possible that we are not facing an
immediate water crisis, but long-term challenges. There
are certainly some tough decisions to be made and parts
of the state need to take action sooner than others, but
realistically, none of these tough decisions or actions can
be made overnight or in an atmosphere of crisis.

1.5.1 The 80 Percent Solution for M&I

SWSI has catalogued the specific projects, plans, and
processes that local water suppliers have identified and
are undertaking as components of their own water supply
planning efforts to meet the needs they themselves have
identified. As a whole, if these projects are implemented,
80 percent of the state's long-term M&I needs will be
met This is the most optimistic scenario, but there is
uncertainty, and hurdles to overcome. Therefore, the
mission of the state with respect to meeting 80 percent of
our M&I water needs by 2030 should be:

CONI

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