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<br />More storaf!e capacity is needed: <br /> <br />o Both surface and sub-surface (aquifer) storage should be considered. There are <br />advantages and disadvantages to both storage solutions such as pumping costs <br />(lower for surface storage), and evaporation rates (higher for surface storage). <br />o In examining whether to build new storage, a cost-benefit analysis is required. <br />Building storage can be expensive, and yet the water to fill that storage may come <br />from extraordinary circumstances that rarely occur. At what point is it cost- <br />effective to spend significant amounts of money to capture water from events that <br />happen once every several years. For example, a spill from Elephant Butte is the <br />"trigger" to allow expensive storage of water that is governed by the compact. <br />Elephant Butte has only spilled three times in the last 60 years. Does that justify <br />spending the money to build Elephant Butte? <br />o Enlarging the Rio Grande Reservoir, an idea that is currently being studied, was <br />suggested. <br /> <br />Financial support is needed to enhance and protect the water supplv: <br /> <br />o The lack of sufficient funds to increase storage, enforce water restrictions, or <br />educate the public on conservation has been a big barrier to solving the basin's <br />water problems. <br />o The basin does not have the money to enhance and protect the water supply. <br />Economically, the health of the basin is weak, and financial support will be <br />needed. Local governments in the Rio Grande basin do not have the financial <br />resources that are needed to solve the basin's water problems. <br /> <br />Educate the public about water issues: <br /> <br />o There has been a significant transformation in the economic base of the South <br />Fork area. Tourism and second-home ownership have replaced manufacturing's <br />role in the economy, but tourists and second-home owners do not fully appreciate <br />or understand the need to protect the Valley's water resources. <br />o Education is important. The public, and particularly those who are new to <br />Colorado and its arid climate, need to be educated about conservation and reuse <br />programs. <br />o Xeriscaping is not zero-scaping. In other words, it can be just as attractive to <br />have a lawn that consists of native plants that are drought tolerant than to have <br />one consisting of grass. Education is needed to show how our landscape can be <br />beautiful, but still be made up of drought resistant plants. <br />o Because of the growing population of second home-owners, counties are updating <br />their Comprehensive Plans to ensure that development recognizes the scarcity of <br />water. For example, stream buffer ordinances are being considered for new <br />homes being built. <br /> <br />Solutions also need to address recreation and tourism in the basin: <br /> <br />o The basin is recognized for its tourism amenities, such as trout streams, four <br />wilderness areas, and reservoirs. <br />o Recreation needs to be considered when the impact of the drought is analyzed <br />and when solutions are discussed. <br /> <br />GBSM, SWSI Public Information Meeting Summary, 11.10.03 <br /> <br />Page 3 <br />