SJD_BRT_Mtg_3_Summary_Final_7-9-04

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San Juan/Dolores/San Miguel Basin Roundtable Technical Meeting #3 Meeting Summary . Instream flow on Junction Creek is ok until irrigation starts. There is a need for instream flow here and on the La Plata River. The La Plata River below Highway 160 should be a coldwater fishery. There are quality/quantity issues on Cascade Creek. Plummer Creek is overappropriated. . SWSI should build in instream flow requirements for Environmental & Recreational in the alternatives. It's part of what makes Colorado special. We should focus on the lower Dolores flow needs, and focus on conservation. . There is concern about the sustainability of the community: - Supply: flows for riparian environments & associated recreational uses. Save water for fishes & other species; concern about loss of biodiversity via extinction. Adopt a restoration program via CWCB. - Demand: Growth and climate change could cause problems. Conservation/ efficiency should be promoted and are inexpensive. - Water supply problems will go beyond SWSI's 2030 horizon. . 2030 planning is short-sighted. We should ignore groundwater development and use it as a safety factor. Future federal programs could be predicated on having adequate storage. . Atmospheric deposition of mercury from power plants into reservoirs is a concern. Selenium also must be considered in reservoir planning. . The Grand Mesa series of lakes is an example of innovative water management with multiple beneficiaries, and is inexpensive and safe. There are many flat-top mountains here that could be used for such lakes; these lakes could address water quality problems, too. . There are concerns about the public perception of the benefits of the Animas-La Plata project. The project does not necessarily increase our civilization's security. We need to learn to fit into natural cycles. . Conservation is important. Free-flowing rivers' impact on the economy is as important as engineered solutions. . Water planning seems to default to infrastructure. Conservation and efficiency should be the default instead, otherwise we'll be in the same situation in future as we are now. Animas-La Plata cost overruns are an indicator that future projects might cost more than we expect too. The rafting industry in Durango may be at risk if we don't prioritize conservation/ efficiency over storage. . M&I should be of equal importance to Recreational & Environmental needs. . By raising rates, "expensive water" makes conservation easy and attractive. CDIVI 9 SJD BRT Mtg #3 Summary_Final 7-9-04.doc 7/9/2004