June 13th Beliefs and Values Workshop Summary.

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South Platte Roundtable, HB1177 Process, June 13, 2006 What are our Values Pertinent to the SWSI Objectives? Notes from Breakout Groups Compiled by MaryLou Smith, Aqua Engineering, Inc. (continued) But Must Take into Consideration a Farmer’s Right to Sell His Water Protect water rights to be used as one wants Do not value sustaining Ag water if I cannot sell my water at highest value Keep Ag water rights intact - Maintain prior appropriation and administration Ag is being compensated fairly for water Accurate appraisal of water is critical Ideally local area buys H2O and keeps it in area Must Take into Consideration Other Factors/Ot her Needs Does Ag have ability to pay? Need to meet multiple demands, not just agriculture It’s a choice -- Which is a higher value, agriculture or something else? Is it important to meet Ag water demands? Sustainability of agriculture is more than water e. g. global market, federal farm policy Find ways for future farmers to farm Must sustain the region, if Ag fits OK, if not….. Allow Ag to continue where Ag producers want to stay in farming If we can protect Ag interests and H2O, it will “echo” throughout M &I etc. “Buy and Dry” brings to play a juxtaposition of needs, fears, history, future Different parts of the state have different needs and solutions related to Ag Optimize Existing and Future Water Supplies By Reducing Waste Wise - use To reduce waste We are already very efficient Urban conservation should reverberate through all discussions By Reuse Strategies — or Not Conservation by reuse Reuse will tend to dry up the lower river Optimize and reuse Develop efficient reuse systems By Multiple Use M ultiple use to improve use of water Better meet multiple uses Multiple partners for multiple use projects Multi - purpose perspective will be required