Laserfiche WebLink
Colorado River Basin Activities and Issues <br />Rick Brown began with a review of changes made to the scope for the Colorado River Water <br />Availability Study, using the most recent Scope of Work. He reported that CWCB would like to <br />use the Colorado River Roundtable meeting on September 24ti' to get conul7ents from the west <br />slope Roundtables. <br />Changes to the scope since the previous meeting include: <br />• Expedited schedule <br />• Study now two phases, instead of three <br />• Alternate hydrology and climate change to be considered in first phase <br />• Reporting out added at end of first phase (to get agreement before phase 2) <br />T. Wright Dickir~sos~: Is there any controversy around the documents you're including in the <br />literature review? As you move through, please consider how widely each document is <br />accepted. <br />Rick Bro~~~rr: I haven't heard any controversy. There may be additional resources people <br />want to add. <br />Epic K~rhj~: The literature review helps someone reading the study understand that there is not <br />one answer, but a range based on best available research. To build acceptance of the <br />outcomes of the study, we need to be up front about the uncertainties. Reporting at the end <br />of the first phase could help maintain interest in the study. <br />T. Wight Dickinson: How will changes in the make up of our forests change the yield of <br />these basins? Bugs and fires contribute to loss of leaf canopy that keeps snow off the ground, <br />and the change in vegetative makeup has both an immediate and long-term impact <br />Rick B~~o~~~r~: We want to consider how forest changes affect naturalized flow, both short term <br />and long term. The forest may return to baseline conditions over the long term. <br />Hat•~is She~•~zan: The Department is working with the USFS and State forest service on those <br />questions. Should we invite them to a fiiture meeting to tallc about these issues? The Forest <br />Service has historic data from the late 19th century when Colorado was burning which <br />provide insights. <br />~S'tan Cazie~•: How are we to prevent people noshing to judgment after phase 1 and assuming <br />all "available" water can be put to use, without considering other factors like ESA <br />provisions? <br />Me1~r~da Kasse~r: Where are non-water-rights limits to water availability factored into phase <br />1? Historic obligations should be a part of the analysis. <br />Rav Alvan°ado: It is part of the historical analysis. <br />2 <br />