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A1ternatives Eva1uated A range of alternatives were considered on how to generate an augmentation supply for the Rothe farm including 1) don't build a project and continue to solely rely upon GASP for augmentation, 2) purchase a senior water right and use it for augmentation, 3) construct recharge ponds filled using recharge wells and ditch water. An evaluation of the alternatives follows: 1. Don't build a project: If a project were not pursued, the Rothe farm would continue to solely rely upon GASP for augmentation. Even though GASP has provided augmentation coverage for the past 30 years, there is no certainty of total augmentation coverage with the GASP plan. Supplies currently used to augment the 17 Rothe wells are entirely secured by GASP on a one-year lease basis. If any of these leases are not renewed or can not be renewed because of the extreme drought conditions, the Rothe farm could not operate their wells. This would be an annual loss of approximately 4800 acre feet of irrigation water. This event, if it occurred, could lead to a major loss of crops under their farm. This alternative at one time may have been considered acceptable but due to the continuing changes in the water community this is no longer an acceptable alternative. 2. Purchase a senior water right and use it for augmentation: This alternative is currently used by many municipalities for the very same reason. The City of Fort Morgan recently purchased 7.5 shares of Jackson Lake reservoir water for augmenting city well use. The 7.5 shares sold for $150,000 or $1,250 per acre foot of water. Jackson Lake water could be used by the Rothe farm for augmentation if enough was available to be purchased. This alternative would cost the Rothe farm approximately $5,000,000. Feasibility Study Rothe Aug Project July 2003 4