SWSI Environment and Recreation Needs and Priorities TRT Draft

• Technical Roundtable: Recreation & Environment
• Title: SWSI - Environment and Recreation Needs and Priorities White Paper
• SWSI II - Doc Type: White Papers

SWSI Phase 2 Technical Round Table
Prioritize and Quantify Recreation and Environmental Needs

The Statewide Water Supply Initiative (SWSI) Report developed a number of findings and
recommendations. These findings and recommendations were reviewed by the Colorado Water
Conservation Board (CWCB) and led to the adoption of two mission statements, which can be
found in Section 11 of the Report. Based on the findings and recommendations, the CWCB
mission statements, discussions with SWSI Basin Roundtables (BRTs) and stakeholders, and
recommendations of the SWSI consulting team and CWCB staff, an initial set of priorities have
been developed for further analysis. The purpose of SWSI Phase 2 is to further analyze,
evaluate, and develop deeper consensus in four key areas. In order to do this, it is proposed that
SWSI form Technical Roundtables (TRTs) to continue the dialogue in a facilitated meeting
forum and conduct technical work around four key areas:

. Water Efficiency (Agricultural and Municipal & Industrial [M&I])

. Alternative Agricultural Transfers to Permanent Dry-up

. Prioritize and Quantify Recreation and Environment Needs

. Addressing the 20 Percent M&I Gap, Agricultural Shortages, and Environmental and
Recreational Needs Including Development of Alternatives

It is recognized that significant overlap may occur between these topics/ subject areas and that
information exchange between TRTs should be facilitated and coordinated by the consulting
team. The overall goal of SWSI Phase 2 is to develop reconnaissance level solutions to address
the 20 percent M&I gap, agricultural shortages, and environmental and recreational
enhancements. To the extent possible, multi-objective solutions will be sought/ developed. In
developing various solutions/ alternatives, the final work product will help policymakers and
stakeholders gain a deeper understanding of the relative role that water efficiency, agricultural
transfers, and new water development can play in meeting future needs and the trade-offs
associated with these solutions. These solutions can then be considered in the context of
meeting human needs for water and providing for the needs of Colorado's natural environment
and recreation.

The prioritizing environmental and recreational TRT differs from other SWSI work groups in
that it is anticipated that the group will provide input on instream flows, a topic which the
CWCB is provided unique and exclusive authority under Colorado law. It is therefore
important that the TRT understand that it is not the goal of the TRT to look to modify the "base"
instream flow program or the statutory process under which the program was established and
has grown over subsequent years. Rather the TRT's focus should be to look at this process as
and opportunity to explore where and how ecological and recreational resources can be
protected or improved and how to most effectively use the existing instream flow program in
conjunction with new ideas and approaches.

1. Technical Roundtable Discussions

It is anticipated that the technical roundtable will meet three to four times between September
and May to further explore the opportunities and issues of the alternatives. Additional

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