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rehabilitating current reservoirs, expanding current reservoirs, and increasing all <br />storage capacity as possible solutions. <br />± <br />What changes are there in Colorado water law that would maximize the Colorado <br />River basin?s use of the water that we do have? <br />± <br />Most of the basin?s water supply comes from springtime runoff. We need <br />additional storage so that we have water during years when runoff is not as high. <br />The population will continue to grow and so will water demands. The only way to <br />guarantee water availability is by adding storage. <br />± <br />If the Dominguez dam was built, there would be additional storage and recreation. <br />± <br />I think we are going to have to live with more storage because lower altitude <br />evaporation is too high. <br />± <br />The Big Straw project has a lot of flexibility, so it should be considered. <br />± <br />I?m interested in projects that would store water in the basin. How much does <br />this basin have to send down the river, and how much can it keep? <br />± <br />SWSI needs to address how storage can help provide water at the right times of <br />year for good healthy streams. <br />Review all impacts on the water supply when developing solutions : <br />± <br />The tamarisk infestation creates a major water loss. It is important for the state <br />to manage further tamarisk infestation and to plan for eradication. We may not <br />have the ability to eradicate tamarisk later when the plant continues to expand. <br />± <br />The fact that there is so much evaporation in reservoirs makes a huge difference <br />in the amount of water that actually is available for use. <br />± <br />The density of forests is important. ?Logging for water? can significantly increase <br />the amount of available water. <br />± <br />Regarding water quality, the type of water diversions should be considered. If <br />water is diverted upstream, it will greatly affect the water quality downstream. <br />Agricultural use, which returns water to the stream, affects water quality <br />differently than a subdivision?s water use. <br />± <br />I echo the important role of agriculture capturing flows and practicing irrigation <br />reuse. The impact forest density has on water availability needs to be <br />considered. <br />± <br />Oil shale reserves should be considered when thinking about the large amount of <br />oil available and the water it takes to develop it. <br />The Colorado River basin needs more comprehensive long-term planning : <br />± <br />This basin needs help with better planning. Wasteful things, such as fountains <br />and poor planning should be addressed. <br />± <br />Federal requirements will have to be considered as part of the SWSI process and <br />any other state-driven water planning efforts. <br />± <br />A lot of small communities do not have conservation planning. SWSI should <br />arrange a ?best practices? network so the Colorado River basin could learn from <br />other basins. <br />± <br />If everyone practiced water conservation, then the availability of Western Slope <br />water will be increased. <br />± <br />We will need more water to grow the economy. Water-management solutions <br />must consider economic and population growth. <br />± <br />SWSI should look at agricultural use and return flows. If land use changes, <br />resulting in a loss in agricultural land, then water-demand projections change <br />dramatically. I?m hoping that conservation easements will be placed on land, and <br />that conservation easements are considered for future planning. <br />