Rio Grande Ltr to Reservoir Companies 032207.d

• Basin Roundtable: Rio Grande
• Title: Rio Grande Interbasin Roundtable - What is the Role of Storage to address the San Luis Valley’s Lack of Sustainability in its Water Use and Management?
• Date: 3/22/2007
• Author: Mike Gibson
• Basin Roundtables - Doc Type: Correspondence/Memos

Rio Grande Interbasin Roundtable

c/o SLVWCD

415 San Juan Avenue

Alamosa, Colorado 81101

Telephone: (719) 589 - 2230
Fax: (719) 589 - 2270
e - mail: slvwcd co1 @ qwest.net
Mich ael H. Gibson – Chairperson

March 22 , 2007
To: Reservoir Companies – See Distribution

From: Mike Gibson

Subject: Rio Grande Interbasin Roundtable -
What is the Role of Storage to
address the San Luis Valley’s Lack of Sustainability in its Water Use and
Management ?

As you maybe aware, the Rio G rande Interbasin Roundtable (RG Roundtable) is one of
nine (9) throughout the S tate. The Roundtables were established in 2005 through
legislation, which established the Interbasin Compact Commission . This was done with
the intent the individual Roundtabl es would be able to address the water issues in their
basins, and to provide a forum for dialogue across the State to address the Statewide
water issues.

In 2006, legis lation (SB179) was passed to provide $10.00 million per year for four (4)
years for wa ter related projects across the State. These funds would be requested
through the Roundtable, and awarded and administered by the Colorado Water
Conservation Board (CWCB).

In recent months, the RG Roundtable has been determining the projects that may hel p
the Rio Grande Basin / S an Luis V alley address the non - sustainability of the current
way in which we manage our water resources. A reoccurring topic and question is ,
“What is the role of storage (surface facilities) in assisting the Rio Grande Basin
in changing its water management practices to have sustainable water
resource s ?”

As you maybe aware, the San Luis Valley Irrigation District is currently completing a
Phase 1 study of the feasibility and means to rehabilitate, and possibly expand, the
capac ity of the Rio G rande Reservoir. This study has been funded by the CWCB, and
recently the RG Roundtable recommended that Phase 2 of the Study be funded
through the SB 179 funds. This request for funding of the Phase 2 Study was approved
by the CWCB at th eir March 13, 2007 meeting .

The RG Roundtable is interested if you would be willing to participat e in a broader
review of the role reservoirs might have in assi s ting in the overall surface water
management in the Rio Grande Basin / San Luis Valley. A thi rd party consultant,
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