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<br />HB 11 77 Water Roundtable <br />Dolores, San Juan, San Miguel <br />June 15,2006 <br />Dolores, CO <br /> <br />Chairman Steve Harris called the meeting to order and added that additional handouts <br />were available on the table by the door. Introductions were then made. <br /> <br />Steve then spoke to the last IBCC meeting and its efforts to formulate how best to use the <br />money provided for in SB 179. He pointed out the memo from Eric Hecox (Manager, <br />Office ofInterbasin Compact Negotiations) available on the front table. The IBCC and <br />CWCB will collaborate on uses for that money, and the CWCB named three <br />representatives (joint working group) to work with the IBCC (Directors Wilkinson, Biggs <br />and Miskel). Steve emphasized the importance of the Water Supply Reserve Account <br />process, and said that Eric's memo captured what the IBCC needs to hear from the basin <br />roundtables. Questions arose as to what type of projects should be considered, whether <br />such projects would be funded by grants or loans, whether cost-sharing projects would be <br />rated higher, and whether feasibility studies would be eligible for SB 179 funding. Many <br />participants voiced concern with CWCB appointing three individuals from the Front <br />Range and want more West Slope representation. There was agreement that any West <br />Slope data and analysis of that data needs to be correct and based on scientific knowledge <br />everyone can agree to. Discussion continued. Fred Kroeger suggested equal West <br />Slope/Front Range representation on the joint working group, and John and Jenny will <br />take this basin's wishes concerning representation back to the IBCe. Another topic of <br />some discussion was whether this roundtable should appoint alternatives to the IBCC <br />meetings or utilize a proxy. Other basin roundtables are using both methods. John Porter <br />and Jenny recommended using a proxy and added that each basin decides what they want <br />to do. Participants added that any alternate needs to be in attendance at all IBCC <br />meetings. Having the IBCC meetings in Denver is a problem for some and it was <br />decided that this roundtable will use the proxy. <br /> <br />Steve mentioned the HB 1177 meeting in Montrose which enjoyed a huge amount of <br />interest. Discussion was lively, and each chairman spoke of their particular basin's <br />issues. There may be an attempt to get an executive committee going to meet once a <br />year. <br /> <br />Discussion then turned to SB 179 funding, the $10 million a year for 4 years to be <br />invested in water activities. The Water Supply Reserve Account funding was established <br />from severance tax proceeds and goes to the Department of Natural Resources. The <br />CWCB establishes with the IBCC criteria and guidelines for the allocation of the funds. <br />(See attached) Projects have to be approved by the local roundtable, and are then kicked <br />up to CWCB for approval or disapproval. Established criteria will be used by CWCB to <br />prioritize projects. No one knows if there will be more projects than funding, or not <br />enough projects approved by local roundtables. Sub-groups may need to be established <br />to take local applications to CWCB and provide feedback. Several roundtable <br />participants stressed taking lessons learned from other grant /loan programs, much the <br />