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± Public involvement is important to this process, and an active public outreach effort is encouraged. The SWSI team s hould build an e-mail list of stakeholders to this process and send to them weekly bulletins and reminders of meetings, times, and locations. ± Thirty years may not be a sufficient timeframe in which to analyze potential drought conditions and risks. A 50-year timeframe will provide a more accurate analysis and provide more time to make adjustments. ± SWSI is historic in that it is trying to be collaborative. This state needs that kind of approach to be able to develop and implement solutions. SWSI will not be successful unless it identifies some projects, and tries to anticipate the downfalls, trade-offs, and balance among project beneficiaries. Solutions must address the diverse needs in the South Platte basin: ± Many in the foothills communities of Jefferson County rely on groundwater that is found in fractured granite, a formation that is common in the foothills and mountain communities. Water from such formations is very different than ground water in aquifers and it is increasingly unreliable and scarce. Wells in such fractured granite formations frequently have to be re-drilled to deeper locations. Also, it is difficult to determine how much water is available in the fractured granite formations. ± For those who rely on fractured granite groundwater, we are less concerned about increased water storage or diversions. We don?t want Western Slope water. We have to stop growth or we will use up our well water. We need something in the legislature to help us handle this issue. This is the burden of the Jefferson County Commissioners. Water quality must be managed differently throughout the basin: ± The sediment in Strontia Springs Reservoir, from which some municipalities in the South Platte basin receive water, has increased dramatically because of recent forest fires. A project has been proposed to clear out much of the sediment in the next two to three years. The project has not yet started, as the sponsor, Denver Water, is waiting to see if more sediment comes in before it starts. The project is expected to cost over $20 million. There are multiple approaches to water management: ± In analyzing demand for water, it is important to look at both future population growth and future land use patterns, as they both significantly affect demand. ± Water is a valuable asset. Property located near ditches and aqueducts is worth more because of the trees and wildlife attracted to the water. Real estate assessments that are based on that increased value could be used to pay for projects that increase water supply. The correlation between proximity to water and property value should be utilized in the effort to fund the increase of water supply. ± Water management and new water projects should consider environmental goals for streams and rivers as part of the solution.