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. i k' ~ ~'' <br />~ . <br />#+ ~ ~ i <br />~f~ <br />Y ti. <br />.~. <br />~ <br />~~ e <br />i I =6 i i <br />[.lp~~?~e~°°ty?~) <br />~~ <br />, <br />~~:~~~a~~~«~:~ ~~ <br />~~~~~~~ <br />i~~~uL~~.e~ <br />Basin-Wide Water Needs <br />Assessments <br />Developing a deeper understanding of the water <br />needs of each basin is a complex task. To do this, <br />the Interbasin Compact process created a multi- <br />pronged framework designed to answer four <br />questions. <br />1. What are each basin's consumptive water needs <br />(municipal, industrial, and agricultural)? <br />2. What are each basin's non-consumptive water <br />needs (environmental and recreational)? <br />3. What are our available water supplies (surface <br />and groundwater) and how much water is <br />unappropriated? <br />4. 1Nhat pro~ects or methods are available to meet <br />our identified water needs? <br />Several efforts are underway to help the BRT <br />answer these questions. Each basin is using the <br />information learned through SWSI as the starting <br />point and core of their needs assessment. They are <br />adding to this information by incorporating other <br />appropriate sources of information. For example the <br />Colorado Roundtable is using the UPCO Study and <br />the Arkansas Roundtable is using the documents <br />supporting the Cooperative Flow Agreement. <br />BRTs also have the opportunity to identify additional <br />information needs and submit "task orders" to our <br />technical assistance team. For example, the Metro <br />and South Platte Basin Roundtables are examining <br />the impact of reusable water not being available to <br />downstream users. The Yampa and Colorado <br />Roundtables are taking a closer look at the water <br />needs associated with energy development. The <br />Gunnison Basin Roundtable is refining the water <br />demand estimates for their smallerwater providers <br />and rural communities. Many of the BRTs have <br />requested assistance with their nonconsumptive <br />needs assessments. An outline and status of each <br />BRT's task orders can be found in the attached <br />news letters. <br />These efforts of the BRT's are being supplemented <br />by several additional activities. <br />Consumptive Workgroup: A group of BRT <br />members and water leaders from across the <br />state is examining our consumptive needs. The <br />goal of this group is to assist the Basin <br />Roundtables in their consumptive use needs <br />assessments through the development of a <br />common technical platform and water supply <br />alternatives on a statewide basis. <br />• Nonconsumptive Workgroup: Similarly, a non- <br />consumptive work group is helping the Basin <br />Roundtables with their non-consumptive needs <br />assessment. With the assistance of this group, <br />each BRT is identifying important environmental <br />and recreational attributes within their basin and <br />pursuing ways to meet their nonconsumptive <br />needs. <br />Colorado River Supply Availability Study: The <br />CWCB in consultation and cooperation with the <br />BRTs is studying how much water is available in <br />Colorado River system. <br />When complete, these processes will come together <br />and give us a much greater understanding of the <br />water needs, challenges and opportunities facing <br />our state. They will enable better planning and <br />decision-making at the local and state level and help <br />ensure a secure water future for all Coloradans. <br />Water Su I Reserve <br />pp Y <br />Account <br />As each BRT goes through this process, they are <br />identifying projects that can help meet their water <br />needs but forwhich additional financial support is <br />needed. That is the purpose of the Water Supply <br />Reserve Account. Through state severance tax <br />dollars, the General Assembly is making available <br />grants and loans to implement water activities. <br />Requests for funds from the WSRA must be <br />approved by the local Basin Roundtables and are <br />then forwarded to the Colorado Water Conservation <br />Board (CWCB} for evaluation and approval. <br />Throughout 2007, WSRA funds were used to <br />support a variety of critical programs. For example: <br />• The Colorado River Water Conservation District <br />and several front range water providers are <br />using $200,000 to identify a long-term source of <br />10,825 acre-feet of water to meet flow <br />recommendations under the Endangered Fish <br />Recovery Program for the "15-mile Reach." <br />• The South Platte Basin Roundtable approved <br />$176,000 for a Comprehensive Feasibility Study <br />of Ovid Reservoir. <br />~,~ <br />.,..n,,, - 4 <br />. . . ~ ~~. ~r. . :. ~ ~: ,~ ~ J~ ~F~~~ ~~~, ~ ~ . <br />~,~,;;~;~~: _;; -- - - ~ ~~ <br />-2- <br />