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<br />Alternative Agricultural Transfers Technical Roundtable Meeting #1 <br />Meeting Summary <br /> <br />"Examine and illustrate if or to what extent M&I and other water uses can be met with <br />agricultural rights on a reliable basis without the permanent dry-up of irrigated agricultural <br />land or impairing property rights" <br /> <br />Comments were received on this mission statement but it was not revised as the objectives were <br />review prior to finalizing comments. <br /> <br />The draft objectives for the TRT included: <br /> <br />. Not evaluate or make judgment on potential ag transfers but to evaluate alternatives to <br />permanent dry-up <br />. Identify geographic locations where alternatives to permanent dry-up may be feasible <br />. Identify key elements of a potential plan to provide M&I with a reliable supply <br />- Land use mechanisms <br />- Contractual vehicles <br />- Water law <br /> <br />The following comments were made by TRT members on the draft mission and objectives <br /> <br />. In Weld County, land used for developed is used for water transfer (5 to 15 percent of areas). <br />Demand increases with developed land and sometimes water is used from other sources for <br />this development (Colorado Big Thompson was used as an example for Weld County). <br />. Where does environmental/ recreational needs fit into this TRT? Could this Alternative <br />Agricultural Transfer water be used for these needs? <br />- Answer: Yes, and this TRT should evaluate use of water as supply for <br />recreation/ environment needs and also impacts on environment from these alternatives. <br />. Does the supply resulting from an alternative agriculture transfer need to provide a reliable <br />supply for average or dry conditions? <br />- Answer: This depends on the water rights and need of the M&I or environment/ recreation <br />user. For example, in a conjunctive use scenario, supply would only be needed in surplus <br />years where additional water is available. <br />. As part of this analysis land use mechanisms need to be taken in account as these issues are <br />part of the analysis. <br /> <br />Presentation of White Paper Key Issues <br /> <br />Kelly DiNatale presented an overview of the White Paper's Key Issues which included an <br />overview of the Colorado's Agricultural Economy, potential changes in irrigated lands, an <br />overview of transfer of agricultural water rights, a discussion of the issues associated with <br />permanent agricultural transfers, and a discussion alternative agricultural transfer options such <br />as Interruptible Agricultural Transfer, Rotating Agricultural Transfer (Fallowing) with the <br />option for Firming for Agricultural Use, Water Banks and Reduced consumptive use through <br />changes in irrigation patterns or crop types. Kelly explained that these options could be used for <br />meeting base level demand, meeting drought supply needs, meeting compact need and <br /> <br />CDIVI <br /> <br />5 <br /> <br />S:\SWSI 2\Meetings\Technical Roundtable\TRT Meeting - Specific\Alternative Ag Transfers\summary\Alt Ag Tran TRT #1 Summary final.doc <br />