IBCC Bridging Issues

• Title: IBCC Bridging Issues
• Interbasin CC - Doc Type: Correspondence/Memos

IBCC Bridging Issues
The IBCC has agreed that they would like to address a series of bridging issues.
Bridging issues are water issues that may affect multiple basins or the state as a whole.
For each bridging issue, the IBCC will:

1) Receive educational presentations on the issue including hearing from basins
affected by the bridging issue;

2) Deliberate and discuss the issue in details; and

3) If appropriate, make recommendations where and when it would have value.
These steps may take place in one IBCC meeti ng dedicated to the bridging issue, or occur
over a series of meetings at which other work is done.

The IBCC and staff have identified the following potential bridging issues for discussion
by the IBCC:
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Colorado River basin issues – the Colorado River Com pact, “unappropriated
water,” and the impacts of a potential call.
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Interstate river obligation on the Arkansas, South Platte, North Platte, and Rio
Grande Rivers.
?

The impact of energy development on Colorado’s water supply.
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What would a “Colorado Water Pro ject” 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.
?

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.
?

The priority system in Colorado.
?

Framework for future 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 E mpire
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Lodge case?

Issues with the Ogallala aquifer.
o

Denver/west slope issues and ongoing negotiations.
o

Social/economic impacts of agricultural dry up.
o