25b ‎(2)‎

• Board Meeting Date: 11/18/2007
• Description: IBCC Director's Report
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

Jeris Danielson: Is this a high priority for the Department, given other things going on?
Harris Sherman: Absolutely.
DanlllcAul~e: The study also looks at future hydrology based on climate change. Our
approach is to find the best generally accepted and peer reviewed work, and incorporate it
into the study. CWCB staff will not become climate change experts, but will incorporate
existing research just like we've done for the Governor's climate action plan.
Eric Kuhn: The study should pick several good approaches and describe the issues with each,
developing a range of estimates of how climate change will impact the basin.
Chips Barry: On climate change, are we only looking at effects inside of Colorado, or also
the impacts to the lower basin and how those might affect our Compact obligations? I think
the climate study needs wider geographic scope because of impacts on the Compact.
CWCB: We are starting at Lee's ferry with climate projections, then disaggregating and
backing into Colorado.
Eric Wilkinson: What about the state response to a Compact call - is that part of the study?
Dan McAuliffe: We're proposing a separate administrative-based curtailment study with an
estimated cost of $500,000. If the Board approves, we will put it on the 2008 projects bill to
begin in July 2008. This is in addition to work the State Engineer's office is already doing.
Rita Crumpton: In the table on page 12, the 2030 SWSI estimate says `with no change in
irrigated acres." But irrigated acres will change if we keep developing like we are now.
Rick Brown: Yes, we need to look at that. For now, consider this as an example of the type
of output we will aim for. We will send you a revised draft of the scope based on your
comments. Roundtable members can help us expedite approval of the scope by getting
feedback from Roundtables, and supporting the document you've helped create. We hope to
use the September 24a` meeting to help finalize the document by the end of the month.
Decisions and Major Points: The IBCC agreed to move forward with the scope of work as
presented. The CWCB will seek input from West Slope Roundtables during the September 24~'
meeting and will take written comments. If the scope of work changes significantly based on
roundtable comments it will be brought back to the IBCC at their October 22"d meeting; if not,
CWCB will begin procurement.
Other major points from the discussion include:
Ask the USFS and State Forest Service to present information on bark beetle and
changing forest composition's impact on hydrology
The study will result in a range of numbers, not one answer, and characterizing
uncertainty for the public is important