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-36- But emerging Denver Water plans to divert even more of the Blue River to the Front Range in coming years could mean the river will flow at near-minimum levels for even longer periods of time. Similarly, growing demand for water and changing operations of various reservoirs in the system will likely affect water levels in Dillon Resen~oir, potentially with earlier draw-downs that could leave local marina operators high and dry. Any extended period of drought would quickly intensify these issues. Summit County and local towns have adopted stringent rules on controlling runoff from construction sites, but the rules are only loosely enforced. Only about 10 percent of local sites meet all the permitting requirements, according to an expert who inspects erosion control measures. Efforts focusing on education and voluntary compliance have been partly successful, but widespread runoff from construction sites is still a source of a cumulative impact on local streams. Runoff from the paved areas in the county's increasingly urbanized towns is also a potential source of water pollution. Theoretically, at least, there is enough water in the Blue River Basin to meet local needs at build-out. But this summer's crackdown on well-water users indicates that state officials are concerned about the overall amount of water available in the basin. The State Engineer's Office issued several hundred warnings to local residents who were violating the terms of their well permits by using water outdoors for landscaping or hot tubs. According to the state, those uses have a cumulative impact on the availability of water to senior water users downstream in the system. For some officials, the crackdown is a clear sign that the area's overall water supplies are stretched to near a breaking point. In recent years, several pumpback projects have been discussed locally, including a plan to shunt water from near Dillon Reservoir back up to Breckenridge. On an even bigger scale, engineers are currently studying the feasibility of bringing water from Green Mountain Reservoir back up to Silverthorne, or even all the way to Dillon Reservoir. Advocates have said the pumpbacks could help address both water quality and quantity concerns. But the projects could also have unanticipated consequences downstream, and create a reliance on "new" sources of water that might not be available when the next drought hits. GUNNISON RIVER BASIN BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON FEDERAL RESERVE WATER RIGHT MEDIATION UPDATE: The parties involved in the Black Canyon water right case have agreed to attempt mediation prior to the trial scheduled in January 2008. Chris Moore of CDR Associates in Boulder will lead the mediation. CWCB staff is participating in the mediation process along with staff from DWR, DOW, EDO and the AG's office. The introductory meeting was held September 21, 2007 at the National Park Service office in Lakewood. Topics were limited to introductions, mediation agreement details, and general discussion. Flood Protection • Water Project Planning and Finance • Stream and Lake Protection Water Supply Protection • Conservation Plarming