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<br />Discussion then turned to the need for a letter to the state, asking for a task order in the amount of <br />$70,000 for our Roundtable's needs assessment. The suggestion was made to look at other Basin <br />Roundtable needs assessments in hopes that would move the process along faster. A question was asked <br />as to how the dollar amount ($70,000) was determined, and basically that is what other areas had <br />requested. It was remarked that there is less information available for this basin in the SWSI report. <br /> <br />Jenny, Ken Beegles and Chuck Wanner presented Concepts for Basin Evaluation and Prioritization to <br />start discussions on setting a standard to use in evaluating projects. We need to know what our basin's <br />values are and how we should be evaluating requests based on those values. Discussion ensued. It was <br />agreed that we should continue to work on the Concepts development. Steve Fearn and Bruce Smart <br />volunteered to join Jenny, Ken and Chuck in that effort. <br /> <br />SB 179 Funding Request - Gary Kennedy reported that the Mancos Water Conservancy District and other <br />entities are investigating the need for additional water storage for domestic use. Jackson Gulch is <br />completely allocated and is used for domestic and agricultural use. There is an increase in growth in the <br />valley, and MWCD is pushing for additional M&I volunteers from the Ag community to turn their water <br />back in for domestic use. There is some of this water available. Gary presented two possibilities: (1) <br />increase Jackson Gulch by 5 feet, resulting in increase of 1,000-1,200 acre-feet which is shy of what is <br />needed. This could take care of M&I needs for the next 20 years and some of that could be returned for <br />Ag use. The Bureau of Reclamation was given a budgetary figure to do that study enlargement and they <br />could begin when they get into their 2009 or 2010 work schedule; (2) use the barrow pit created in the <br />dam construction. This would provide 1,000-1,500 acre-feet of water, which would yield the additional <br />200 acre-feet needed. Gary requested approximately $18,000 out of the $100,000 total for this portion of <br />the project. Jim Fisher remarked that Mesa Verde will probably not have a use for additional water for <br />many years. Gary reported that the likelihood ofthe project being completed is very promising. There is <br />money out there for construction, but Mancos Water Conservancy would need to find a source of funding <br />for a feasibility study. He added that there is a broad base of support from the community. Don <br />Schwindt clarified that the application should be sent up for state funding rather that basin funding, and <br />that this should be a grant program, not a loan program. Discussion regarding funding possibilities <br />continued. Steve Fearn moved that $80,000 from this Roundtable be provided for this study; Jim Siscoe <br />seconded the motion, and there was consensus. Don Schwindt moved that a request for $20,000 be sent <br />to CWCB; Ken Beegles seconded, and there was consensus. <br /> <br />Dick Lunceford reviewed the history of the La Plata Archuleta Domestic Water District ("LAPLAD"). <br />One-two years ago a service plan was sent to District court and turned down. The service plan was <br />modified and is now ready to be resubmitted, and needs to go to the La Plata county commissioners for <br />approval and submission to the court. The need for water is getting worse in southeastern La Plata <br />County and more wells are being drilled. The problem is that most valuation comes from gas. There is <br />good support from a bulk ofthe larger companies such as BP, but the smaller oil companies don't want to <br />pay the mill levy associated with a special district. Dick wanted input from the roundtable on how a <br />funding request would be received to pay legal expenses. Chuck Lawler asked what the lawyers are <br />needed for. County assessors tax both surface and mineral and can't separate the estates. Attorneys for <br />gas companies want a process that allows them to remove themselves from the proposed district. This <br />situation is already $120,000 in arrears with the current legal staff - they simply have continued working <br />on the case without being reimbursed. Some concerns were raised about the District's using funds for <br />legal fees. Kay Hartman added that he felt this is the type of project that we should be funding. Don <br />Schwindt remarked that this is a complex issue and would not be able to offer an opinion without further <br />information. Ken agreed. More information is needed on the obstacles the project would face. <br /> <br />The next meeting will be in Cortez at the Dolores Water Conservancy District office. Steve adjourned the <br />meeting at 6: 17 pm. <br /> <br />2 <br />