Minutes May 2007 CBRT

• Basin Roundtable: Colorado
• Title: Minutes
• Date: 5/21/2007
• Basin Roundtables - Doc Type: Minutes

c. This is an ongoing study. In Phase 1, monthly readings were taken at 3 wells and 4 springs.
The grant request is for Phase 2 to drill 3 additional wells, and to compile monthly readings
of those wells, and to prepare a report after 5 years of data have been collected. The report
will be publicly available, and it will also be delivered to The Colorado Division of Water
Resources, the CWCB, the Roaring Fork Conservancy, the Missouri Heights Well User's
Association, and Eagle and Garfield Counties.

d. The total cost of the study is $50,000, and the grant request to the Basin Reserve Account is
for $25,000. The Basalt River Conservancy District will fund the balance of the study.

e. Peter Barkman of the Colorado Geological Survey recommended that the study monitor
water quality as well as water quantity. Another recommendation was that the study be paid
by assessing an impact fee to Missouri Heights residents; however, the Basalt Water
Conservancy District apparently lacks authority to do this. Lane Wyatt recommended that
the applicant complete Carl Hanlon's form for the June meeting.

f. Mark Fuller, a resident of Missouri Heights, stated that the Roaring Fork Watershed Plan
study group is in favor of this project. He recommended funding the request since there are
many other subdivisions in Western Colorado sited above adjacent rivers and the results of
this study will likely have wide application. As agriculture declines, there will be less
groundwater recharge into the aquifer. Homes in Missouri Heights are typically spaced at
one per acre or more, and Mark can now see 75-80 homes from his residence in Red Table
Acres that weren't there 25 years ago. Ken Ransford, the reporter, has lived in Missouri
Heights for 10 years, and he agrees with Mark Fuller's observations.

g. Wells on Missouri Heights are typically 200-250' deep. There are several working class
neighborhoods in Missouri Heights that depend on wells who are at risk if the aquifer
declines.

h. Rick Brown recommended that the Applicant connect the application to the overall Colorado
River basin, by addressing: how this study affects agricultural water rights of working
ranches; how groundwater pumping affects the entire Roaring Fork watershed, and the
downstream call at Cameo; how this study contributes to the overall goal of maximizing the
use of state waters; and how this study could impact other water rights.

1. The Hunt Ranch in Missouri Heights was recently sold to developers who hope to develop 65
new residences, and Missouri Heights well users are concerned that the proposed residences
will impact groundwater resources. At the time of subdivision application, the state engineer
must comment on water supply sufficiency. This study could impact the fate of the Hunt
Ranch subdivision and other proposed developments.

J. The Basalt Water Conservancy District was formed in 1963 when Ruedi Reservoir was built.
It administers 422 contracts for water from the Ruedi Reservoir, as well as water from Green
Mountain Reservoir and Blue Creek in El Jebel. Ruedi water augments the wells that are
drilled in Missouri Heights. The Basalt Water Conservancy District covers the Fryingpan
River from above Ruedi Reservoir to its confluence with the Roaring Fork River, and all of
the Roaring Fork River above Aspen to Glenwood Springs, including Missouri Heights. The
District also covers Carbondale north of the Crystal River. The town of Basalt is not part of
the Basalt Water Conservancy District.

L\CWCB Imaging\Caleb\Minutes\Colorado\2007\Minutes May 2007 CBRT.doc

2

7/l<