NorthPlatteBasinWaterSupplyandNeedsReport

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Section 1 0 Evaluation Framework A water supply gap analysis was conducted for each of the eight river basins as described in Section 8. This analysis concluded that the planned water supply projects (the "Identified Projects and Processes") that have been formulated by water providers and users across the state, if completely successful, will provide about 80 percent of the projected M&I water needs by 2030. There is also uncertainty associated with these numbers. Gaps between water demand or need and available supplies are also anticipated for other types of water use in virtually all basins, and the gaps in each basin could be significantly larger if the Identified Projects and Processes are not successfully and fully implemented. As such, Section 9 describes families of future water supply options based on: (1) projects and other solutions identified through the Basin Roundtable discussions; (2) projects and other solutions identified from existing reports and studies; and (3) concepts identified by the SWSI team. To explore the merits of these potential water supply options, an evaluation framework was needed. The purpose of the evaluation framework was to ensure that projects could be analyzed in a consistent, transparent, and understandable manner. SWSI has identified and considered a broad range of options. Families of options were described in Section 9 and are evaluated in this section. Section 8 describes specific options that could be used in developing portfolios of options. Any remaining gap not addressed by the Identified Projects and Processes could be addressed via these options. Subsequent SWSI work can build on this information and work toward consensus developing and evaluating combinations or "portfolios" of options that would form basinwide or statewide alternatives for comparison and possible implementation. This section presents the following: . An overview of the stakeholder process S:\1177\Basin Reports\North Platte\S10_North Platte.doc North Platte Basin . An overview of the method used in evaluating ways to address each basin's future water needs, or evaluation framework . The specific water management objectives, sub- objectives, and associated performance measures . The method and results used to gauge individual Basin Roundtable members' preferences - the importance each member placed on each objective and sub-objective . The evaluation method that was employed to evaluate the families of options and the results 10.1 Stakeholder Process SWSI was designed to emphasize local input at the basin/local level, reaching out to municipal water providers, agricultural interests, business interests, governmental agencies, environmental interests, recreation interests, and the public at large. These different interests represent the major stakeholders for water use in Colorado. In total, over 40 Basin Roundtable Technical Meetings and Public Information Meetings were held throughout the state to solicit and exchange information and ideas. The SWSI stakeholder process was made up of three elements (Figure 10-1): . Colorado Water Conservation Board . SWSI Basin Roundtables . Public Outreach Basin Roundtable C/) ~ ~ . Catalog Options ~ g . DefineObjectives! ~. D:l g: Performance Measures . . Develop Options ~0 -'-:Jt -C/) ~ ~ . Catalog Options . _' !;i: ~ . Define Objectives! . ~ a. Performance Measures . Develop Options Public Information and Feedback Figure 10-1 SWSI Stakeholder Process CONI 10-1 COLORADO ~ DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES