Arkansas minutes_4_12_06

• Basin Roundtable: Arkansas
• Title: Minutes
• Date: 4/12/2006
• Basin Roundtables - Doc Type: Minutes

Arkansas Basin Roundtable
Meeting of April 12 , 2006

Meeting Notes

The meeting notes attempt to follow the agenda.

1. Chairman Hamel convened the meeting at 12:30. The minutes of the meeting of March 8,
2006 were approved. 43 voting members of the 5 4 seated members of the Roundtable were
present, a n 80 % attendance, and a quorum was established. A 67% majority was dete r mined to
be 2 6 votes.

2. The IBCC Representative s and attendees at the IBCC meeting reported: Chairman Hamel –
Charter completed, s ubmitted to General Assembly with late bill status. Mr. Danielson – IBCC
waiting for roundtables to elevate topics. Mr. Vandersch u ere – Burden for future dialogue at
IBCC on the roundtables. IBCC looking for needs, direction and vision of roundtables. Mr.
Smith – Encourage others to attend IBCC meeting. Struck by similarities between basins and
their issues. Ms. Rawlings – Could we have an IBCC meeting in the Arkansas Basin? Next
IBCC meeting May 22, 2006 in Glenwood Springs in cooperation with the C olorado Basin
roundtable.

3. Mr. Ken Lykens of the Colorado Foundation for Water Education presented each of the
members of the roundtable with a Director’s Notebook , courtesy of the Colorado Foundation for
Water Education .

4. Mr. Eric Hecox presented a “
Why Exactly are We Here!?! ” PowerPoint slide show in preparation for
small group discussions. Five (5) small groups convened, designated a recorder to report out for the group,
and commenced a vigorous discussion. The reports included:

Group 1 : Nee d condensed SWSI reports, economic forecasts, socio - economic impacts of water trades
(in & out of basin, lease v. sale), alternative forms of mitigation, assess non - consumptive uses, storage needs,
alternatives to water court and reuse & conservation. Sho rt Term Goals – Conflict resolution and
opportunities for cooperation.
Group 2 : Importance of water rights as a personal property right. Perception that needs are
increasing.
Group 3 : Need SWSI information/Executive Summary, assess agricultural transfer impacts, venue
for discussions important – setup was too noisy, perhaps small breakout rooms.
Group 4 : 6 month goals – SWSI report slide show by Rick Brown, study true impacts of dry - up - a.
beyond agriculture, b. county residents, c. cost of high tech c rop methods, d. institutional changes. Long term
goals - System overview - a. storage, b. land management plan, c. water quality assessment.
Group 5 : Needs assessment – a. future of agriculture, b. commitment by State of Colorado to
economic development of SE Colorado, c. Is SWSI proper forum?, d. SWSI II – wish list or reality? What are
true water needs? Storage – all: it is an issue, some for study now, others for study later. Look at interbasin
v. intrabasin (ag to metro) transfer issues. Quantity v. Quality – Is there an alternative to SWSI? Need more
knowledge about SWSI II, what resources are available?