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Public Suggestions: ~ Get studies and data from the Rio Grande Water Conservation District and the State Engineer's Office from the numerous public-planning sessions they have held over the last several years concerning water in this basin, growth and the enlargement of the Rio Grande Reservoir. Comments: The comments below recap the concerns, issues and questions that were raised at the basin's Public Information Meeting. These are general summaries of what was said, grouped by key theme, and are not verbatim quotes from the participants. The suggestions, comments and questions documented here will be incorporated into the SWSI study process. This public input is greatly appreciated, as it will help guide the SWSI study team as the process moves forward. The SWSI team will seek to answer any questions raised at these meetings, and will include these answers as part of the SWSI final report. The basin needs to improve water manaf!ement for the future: o The Rio Grande basin receives a fixed supply of water every year. There is no way to increase the amount of water we get. This basin needs to do a better job of managing what we have. o Would diversions to aquifer storage be possible to reduce flooding of the Alamosa River at its termination point? o Everyone in the basin has been guilty of not using water in a way that respects all water users in the basin. SWSI needs to recognize the changing nature of the basin and collectively determine going forward what everyone can do to better manage the resources. o This region's residents need to determine what we want the future to be and what we want our Valley to look like. The aquifer levels need to be recharf!ed: o The decline in the amount of water in the aquifer is a very significant concern. There is a widespread understanding of the need to take action to recharge the aquifer. The aquifer was characterized as the largest "underground storage reservoir" in the state without the evaporation that surface reservoirs experience. o Maintaining the water level in the aquifer is vital for drought protection, water supplies, fulfillment of the compact requirements, wetlands, and recreation. The impact of the decline in the water level in the aquifer, therefore, is far reaching and impacts the water supply throughout the basin. o It was suggested that a taxing district be created that would pay farmers to not farm for a limited period of time so the water savings could be used to recharge the aquifer. GBSM, SWSI Public Information Meeting Summary, 11.10.03 Page 2