BOARD00184 ‎(2)‎

• Board Meeting Date: 5/23/2007
• Description: Presentation by Frank Yaeger, Parker Water Sanitation District - Parker Water Fallowing Study with CSU
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

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5) We can learn more in three days at Palo Verde then we can three years of
research.

The Palo Verde case is a terrific example cooperation between irrigated agriculture
and urban users, and cooperation is definitely needed in Colorado's South Platte. The
differences in water right administration and policy, river/water supply infrastructure,
cropping patterns and economic activity are significant. Thus, we need to invest in
studying the South Platte and generating a cooperative model.

6) What is the value to the farmer of water that is taken off the farm?

The value of water will always be determined by the relative supply and demand of
water within a river basin - transfers and leasing will always be made on voluntary
basis. Water that is sold or leased will always have more value to the buyer than to
the seller; else the transaction would not occur. As a result, if consumptive use
savings are leased, the lease price will need to be at least as large as its value in
agricultural production.

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7) Why should thefarming community support a project like this?

The research provides base information about whether there is a viable alternative to
'buy and dry' transactions as water is transterred trom agricultural to municipal use. If
consumptive water use savings can be leased effectively, it will retain the economic base
that irrigated agricuiture provides. If a rotationai faiiowing program is viabie, it too win
lessen the impact of 'buy and dry' activity. Agriculture is an important base industry to
many Lower South Platte communities, and if water is completely removed from these
communities, few alternatives will exist for many businesses.

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