|
<br />. The Gunnison BRT approved $540,000 to assist
<br />the Orchard City Reservoir Project.
<br />
<br />A complete list of the approved WSRA applications
<br />is included at the end of this newsletter.
<br />
<br />Fostering Inter-basin
<br />
<br />Dialogue
<br />
<br />A fundamental objective in creating the Interbasin
<br />Compact process is the desire for basins to share
<br />information and develop a greater understanding
<br />of not just their own needs, but the needs and
<br />
<br />pressures of other basins as well. Only when the
<br />state has a collective and deeper understanding of
<br />all the needs in all of Colorado's river basins will
<br />we be able to take the necessary steps to a secure
<br />water future.
<br />
<br />To that end, there have been some exciting
<br />developments over the past year.
<br />
<br />. The leadership of the South Platte and Yampa/
<br />White/Green BRTs met to share perspectives on
<br />the major water issues in each basin and to
<br />discuss a proposed Yampa Project.
<br />
<br />Public Education and Outreach
<br />
<br />
<br />~
<br />Ur:PAR1'''U:r...'1' uf
<br />NATUJ"J...AL
<br />ItESOUltCES
<br />
<br />Water is one of our most precious resources in Colorado. It is the lifeblood of the state and essential to our
<br />state's agricultural and tourism industries, to the environment, and to the millions of people that call
<br />Colorado home. It is also a scarce resource, and few issues are as important to our quality of life and to our
<br />future as ensuring a secure water future. Because water touches virtually all aspects of life in Colorado, it is
<br />essential that the public is informed about and engaged in our ongoing dialogue on the state's water future.
<br />
<br />When the Colorado legislature passed the Colorado Water for the 21 st Century Act in 2005 and established the
<br />IBCC, it also made public outreach and participation in the process a priority. Since then, much has been
<br />accomplished, thanks in large part to the work of the Public Education, Participation, and Outreach (PEPO)
<br />Work Group that was created as part of the IBCC. Thanks to the leadership of the volunteers who comprise
<br />this work group, the following has been accomplished.
<br />
<br />. The IBCC website (www.ibcc.state.co.us) has been
<br />redesigned for greater clarity and ease of navigation. It
<br />features detailed but understandable information on each
<br />of the state's nine BRTs and the IBCC, a calendar of
<br />upcoming meetings and events, and relevant news and
<br />links. It is a great starting point for anyone who is
<br />interested in learning more about water in Colorado or
<br />about the latest IBCC and BRT activities.
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />r,:,::,::.lb-t .. 1"-: -; ..... ~. ~ ~:.......... I!l r")oia........ '.
<br />
<br />l"~~
<br />
<br />, (No .1/". .....->--'..-... '" p. I"'':. _- .... .. ..,.... _ ~
<br />...,...~... ..ii ilI1':(.I'IIl1 "Ih ,..... .I......,IIA.....~. .......,
<br />. .'
<br />....o.a..u... ..........lJl'Jl'el]. I.... ".., ............ itlihWt'J.....
<br />-v .... I PK~..1a ~, ..........._ a.K' -....c-... 0-+ ~ _ e.. laCe.. ."
<br />
<br />:;=~:;::--"'==~OO:OI:~~::I:: _ ~ ~ ' ..
<br />
<br />
<br />""Ii JlfH" .~.... ,........... ..........-.+tI....... I..,...... ...-..,......_
<br />
<br />.... :i
<br />. C~';;;hl:;
<br />~~i:!~,~(.....I'I.r1" ...,t...~"
<br />
<br />r.Nnili Pn.t.uI ,...1:1II,
<br />.......rt.I.. Pnn~n1... .
<br />1>>1..,.,..11
<br />
<br />. Each BRT has established an education liaison to help
<br />further our public education and outreach efforts.
<br />
<br />. We have created and distributed a wide range of materials,
<br />including this quarterly newsletter and fact sheets, to
<br />better communicate the activities of the IBCC and BRTs.
<br />
<br />ow ...", ..:...-.... 4tAul. (1.....11II....... 1".1Il'Ir'n' ............ ... Q n~
<br />-,,-"'.:(
<br />+ )or. (1-'- '_........ ~ "_.'11 .... oMi ....... t;(c
<br />...PTI.-:a......
<br />... c.. ;:rwJ., ~ "e. 1~"''''1t.-t'I ~ -..:C ..........,.....
<br />.' ......., ........ .............. .a.-I .......11.....".,.,... LJ.(:....-.I
<br />,.......... Rite.: .......'''......."...,
<br />+ ~ 'I...... e.....:. _lI\'Itt,... ............
<br />.. III....M .it...~ c................. ':Il~.......,. ....'.01 l~
<br />
<br />p----- fJ]
<br />~1!l1
<br />
<br />~"III")
<br />," r... .:J
<br />
<br />~~
<br />
<br />'-'II' .1'.....
<br />IwI __
<br />
<br />.. 1.-1: ....... t.........-.: ., .......... .1'lI~"
<br />... c..t ........_~ HI. It..-~..
<br />.. '11.._.. .....".,. t'....,..... .......... t....'~"I...... .~..'.
<br />
<br />. The PEPO Work Group is helping interested roundtable and
<br />IBCC members develop a deeper understanding of Colorado
<br />water issues by providing scholarships to various conferences and workshops throughout the state.
<br />
<br />Literally hundreds of stakeholders across Colorado are actively participating in this process, but more can be
<br />done. We have developed and are in the first steps of implementing a strategic communications plan and in
<br />the coming year, increasing outreach to the public will be a major focus. As such, you will likely see more
<br />from our communications activities. For example, we will be holding town hall meetings in different parts of
<br />the state to educate the public about the Interbasin Compact Process. We will be making a significant
<br />outreach to media around the state, helping them understand the significance of the activities of the IBCC
<br />and BRTs. We have developed a database of thousands of business and civic groups and leaders across the
<br />state and will be reaching out to them to inform and engage them in our activities. Finally, we will be
<br />producing "A Sip of Colorado Water Law" in cooperation with Justice Hobbs to educate roundtable members
<br />and the public on the basics of our state's water law system.
<br />
<br />Face-to-face communication is the most powerful form of communication. As we continue to make significant
<br />efforts to increase public awareness about the activities of the IBCC and BRTs, we encourage you to talk with
<br />others in your community about this important process. It is through dialogue that we will reach a shared
<br />understanding and common vision on Colorado's water supply future.
<br />
<br />- 3 -
<br />
|