Work Plan 2007 - Interbasin Compact Process.do

• Title: Work Plan 2007 - Interbasin Compact Process
• IBCC - Doc Type: Program Planning, Budget & Contracts

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The impact of energy development on Colorado’s w ater supply.
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What would a “Colorado Water Project” look like?
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Examination of larger projects that are on the table and how they might evolve in
a collaborative way to meet multiple objectives.
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Artificial Recharge and Aquifer Storage – Technical, Legal, and Administrative
Issues.
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How to meet Colorado’s non - consumptive water needs.
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Water transfers and the interface of agriculture and municipal demands.
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Water in the Gunnison Basin as it relates to fish flows.
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The priority system in Colorado.
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Framework for futu re water planning decisions that keep broader public benefits
in mind.
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The web of permitting water activities in Colorado.
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Other issues mentioned at earlier IBCC meetings include:

Discussion of Urban Water Use Criteria (Chips Barry Memo).
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Does groundwater exist in Colorado given the decision in the Empire
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Lodge case?

Issues with the Ogallala aquifer.
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Denver/west slope issues and ongoing negotiations.
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Social/economic impacts of agricultural dry up.
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All of these bridging issues will be framed within the cont ext of basin and statewide
water supply sustainability. The IBCC agreed that at its first meeting in 2007 (February
nd
2 ) it will address Colorado River basin issues. The order and timing of additional
bridging issues will be proposed in early 2007 and re fined throughout the year.

Working Groups
The IBCC has established three working groups, and in 2007 these groups will continue
their work and report back to the full IBCC. The working groups include:

1) Public Education, Participation, and Outreach;

2) Needs Assessment; and

3) Water Supply Reserve Account

The Public Education, Participation, and Outreach working group has met regularly
since summer 2006. They have engaged the services of MaryLou Smith from Aqua
Engineering as their facilitator. The group is cr eating a process to inform, involve, and
educate the public on the IBCC’s activities and progress, as well as a mechanism by
which public input and feedback can be relayed to the IBCC. This working group has
developed a working matrix of activities they w ould like to pursue (see attached). In
2007 they will concentrate on re - designing and implementing the program website and
updating and refining a database of water education activities throughout the state. They
may also take a more active role in creat ing public announcements, program material,
IBCC meeting follow - up materials for the broader public, etc. This may be within the
context of the CSU Cooperative Extension Services proposal discussed above or through
other capacities. The working group may also begin implementing other activities on
their working matrix during 2007.
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