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<br />~ <br /> <br />Davey: We need to be made aware of any problem areas, and help with routes. The maps will become <br />more specific in the future. <br /> <br />Davey introduced Bob Weiss. counsel for the Upper Yampa W.e.D. <br /> <br />Weiss explained how irrigation districts are formed and how they operate. Irrigation districts <br />are a legal entity that have the ability to raise money and operate the system. The Maybell <br />Irrigation District could possibly be used as an example. <br /> <br />Forming a district involves" petitioning the county commissioners. The petition must be signed by <br />a majority of the landowners. and must include a majority of the acres. If petition is approved <br />by the commissioners an election is held. Election results would be based on acres. <br /> <br />If formed. the district would be administered by a board of "directors (3-5 members). Debts <br />greater than $20.000 would have to be approved by election. The board of directors would <br />administer moneys. <br /> <br />The irrigation district would have the authority to impose property tax assessments. accept <br />grants. and get loans. <br /> <br />Blakeslee: What about operations. will there be employees? a budget? <br /> <br />Fetcher: District would probably employ a part time ditch rider. <br /> <br />Blakeslee: What about legal liability. would it change from present? What facilities would the <br />district own? <br /> <br />Weiss: By being a government entity. the district could benefit from limited liability. All <br />structures would be owned and maintained by the irrigation district. <br /> <br />( Culver: So the Shelton Ditch would remain intact. and would be supplied by the irrigation <br />district? <br /> <br />Monger: How will water rights be affected? <br /> <br />Davey: There is no intent to reduce water rights. that was decided at the meeting held last <br />spring. Water rights will still be owned by the individual shareholders. <br /> <br />Unidentified: The Shelton's water could end up being diverted seven miles away. How will seepage <br />losses be addressed? <br /> <br />Holt: That would have to be solved internally by the irrigation district. <br /> <br />Fetcher: The system would be designed to deliver water to the headgates. <br /> <br />Andrews: Seepage has not been studied. <br /> <br />Davey: Measuring structures are included in proposals. <br /> <br />Tom Sharp: It's likely that the Walker and Shelton ditches would have to go through the legal <br />process of having their point of diversion changed. If they can show that they have been using <br />their full right. it is unlikely that their water rights would be questioned. <br /> <br />Schaffner: The Walker and Shelton have been USing more than their adjudicated rights. <br /> <br />Davey: Where would water be measured. at the river or at each takeout? <br /> <br />Schaffner: Water would have to be measured near the diversion. Whether or not to measure water <br />at each takeout would have to be decided internally. You are allowed to take more water than your <br />right. if it is available. That is. no call has been placed on the stream. <br />S <br />