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SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN TASK FORCE óÈÑÄ êÉÜÉØúÜÍÔÉÎÑ ëÎÎÐ ùØÏÇØËúÎÑÎËÜÙÎ Attendance: Harold Griffith, Representative Frank McNulty, Representative Jack Pommer, Representative Mary Hodge, Rebecca Kourlis, Manual Montoya, Anne Castle, Arnie Good, John Stulp, Harris Sherman, Randy Knutson, Joe Kiolbasa, Hal Simpson, Harold Evans, Jim Yahn, Senator Grep Brophy, Representative Kathleen Curry, Brad Stromberger, Steve Bruntz, Jim Lochhead, Dick Wolfe. Staff: Alex Davis, Jim Miller, Rebecca Swanson, Jenifer Gurr. Commissioner John Stulp called the meeting to order and asked the task force members and staff to introduce themselves. Director Harris Sherman reviewed the agenda for the day. Division Engineer Presentation Glover/Modflow/SPDSS Information Administering a Call on the River Jim Hall, Division Engineer for Division 1 gave a presentation to the task force. He discussed how a valid call is placed on the river, priority dates, a typical call, and a typical bypass call. He reviewed river flow graphs and current calls on the river. Discussion was held with task force members on average flows, compact requirements vs. flows, and if Colorado is allowing more water than required by the compact agreements to flow out of state. It was noted that the 3-state agreement has imposed limits on usage after 1997, but wells may be exempted. Jim Hall discussed call comparisons, how the calls have changed, and changes in administration over the last several years. He clarified the State Engineer’s authority concerning substitute water supply plans, and reviewed the benefits and concerns of augmentation wells and different levels or impacts on depletion. Jim Hall introduced three options to the current administration of the river: 1) Delayed Non-Irrigation Season Replacement; 2) Payment for reservoir impact (this was used in 2003, but water is preferred over money); and 3) Replace if necessary to fill senior reservoir rights. Discussion was held with task force members on the options presented including statutory changes, and changing the rules for some users but not all of them. Jim Lochhead explained how a junior well would come into the system now following an adjudicated augmentation plan. Further discussion was held on replacements for 1950 depletions, augmentation only during a call, and pre-1974 post pumping depletions still owed to the river.